With President-elect Barack Obama at her side, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Monday that Congress will have legislation ready for Obama to sign right after he takes the oath of office at noon Jan.20.

Without specifying what those bills might be, the Speaker said after the 111th Congress convenes Tuesday, “We will hit the ground running on the initiatives you have described to address the pain being felt by the American people.”

However, the huge economic recovery package now under development will not be on that list. While Democrats initially talked of sending him the bill on or shortly after Jan. 20, party leaders said over the weekend that they now anticipate a slower timetable that could lead to final passage by mid-February, when Congress takes its Presidents’ Day break.

Although Obama’s meetings on the Hill were focused largely on the stimulus package, the House plans to consider several other bills before the new president takes office. The lineup includes an expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, the leftover fiscal 2009 appropriations bills, a “card check” bill sought by labor unions that would eliminate secret-ballot elections for certification, and legislation to make it easier for women paid less than their male counterparts to sue their employers and be compensated, known as the Lilly Ledbetter bill.

Pelosi, D-Calif., pledged that whatever Congress passes will be done in “a bipartisan way with great civility and fiscal discipline.”

“I know the debate will be spirited. We welcome it,” she added.

For his part, Obama — seated next to Pelosi flanking a fireplace in her ceremonial office — warned that the economy is still worsening. “We’re expecting a sobering job report at the end of the week,” he said.

He said he still wants quick action on a stimulus package. “The reason we’re here today is because the people’s business can’t wait,” Obama said.