WASHINGTON (CNN) - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi blamed Republicans in the Senate for blocking legislation that would either limit or end the war in Iraq in an exclusive interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer on Tuesday.
"The Republicans in the Senate have now taken ownership of the war in Iraq," Pelosi said. "It was President Bush’s war. And now it is the Republicans in Congress’ war. And that marks a big turning point for us because we had hoped to have bipartisanship in redeploying out of Iraq."
Pelosi said she would continue trying to get bills passed to limit the missions and deployments for troops and promised to hold the administration "accountable time and time again for the conduct of this war."
Despite their disagreements, Pelosi said she thinks she and Bush have a good working relationship, and was optimistic that they could work together on an energy bill.
"I respect him as a person, I respect the position he holds," she said. "He respects the position of Speaker of the House. He knows he has to do what he has to do. He knows that I have to do what I have to do. And so I think we have a good rapport. We understand each other."
You can see the interview tonight in The Situation Room at 7 p.m., ET.
- CNN Associate Producer Lauren Kornreich