“I know of no likelihood of us being in session in December,” Pelosi told reporters Tuesday.

If the Senate is unable to pass a proposed $25 billion auto loan bill during this week’s lame-duck session, the next time the House will take up the issue will be in January, Pelosi said.

The idea of a December session had been floated Tuesday morning by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.)

The heads of Detroit’s Big Three are on Capitol Hill this week practically begging Congress to lend $25 billion in emergency loans. General Motors has suggested that it could go under before lawmakers reassemble in January. With the auto bailout unlikely to pass the Senate this week, GM’s endurance could soon be tested.