Pelosi Implodes During CNN Interview When Pressed on Delaying Stimulus Bill - WATCH
House speaker faced backlash for holding up COVID-19 relief bill
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Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suffered a firey meltdown during an interview with CNN host Wolf Blitzer, who asked her why she is holding up President Donald Trump's $1.8trillion deal for a COVID-19 relief bill.
Pelosi, who accused Blitzer of being a 'Republican apologist' during the segment, was left fuming when put on the spot regarding the coronavirus relief bill.
Blitzer asked why even Pelosi's Democrat allies urged her to get the deal done, citing former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang and fellow California Democrat Ro Khanna.
Pelosi is being pushed from within her party to reach a compromise on a deal to bring further economic relief to the American people.
As a result of Pelosi's political delay, Americans are struggling as an economic fallout looms.
"I don't know why you're always an apologist — and many of your colleagues, apologists for the Republican position," Pelosi responded as Blitzer mentioned Khanna's comments on the bill.
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"Ro Khanna, that's nice. That isn't what we're going to do. And nobody's waiting until February."
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Pelosi argued she could not accept the Republican deal because child tax credits and earned income credits were 'eliminated.'
"They minimize the need for childcare, which is the threshold with which people, mothers, and fathers, can go to work if they have that," Pelosi said.
"I want this very much now, because people need help now, but it's no use giving them a false thing just because the president wants to put a check with his name on it in the mail," she added.
"We know the problem out there," Blitzer interrupted.
"But there are millions of Americans who have lost their jobs. They can't pay the rent. Kids need the food."
"That's right, and that's what we're trying to get done," Pelosi returned.
Blitzer got Pelosi's back up early in the interview by asking why she wouldn't accept the Republican party offer.
He then asked her to look at Americans "in the eye... and explain why you don't want to accept the president's latest stimulus offer."
"I hope you'll ask the same question of the Republicans on why they don't want to meet the needs of the American people," Pelosi responded.
"But let me say to those people because all of my colleagues -- we represent these people ... and their needs are not addressed in the president's proposal. So when you say to me, "Why don't you accept theirs?' Why don't they accept ours?"'
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Blitzer then asked the Speaker why she wouldn't call Trump directly to try to work on the deal.
"Why not work out a deal with [President Trump] and don't let the perfect as they say here in Washington, be the enemy of the good?" Blitzer said.
"Well, I will not let the wrong be the enemy of the right," Pelosi answered.
"What's wrong with $1.8 trillion?" Blitzer asked.
"You know what, do you have any idea what the difference is between the spending that they have in their bill and what we have in our bill?" a frustrated Pelosi fired back.
"With all due respect, you really don't know what you're talking about," she snapped.
Pelosi then accused Trump of only looking out for the wealthy.
Pelosi added that she does not deal directly with Trump but with one of his representatives, but accused the president of only looking out for the wealthy.
"What makes me amused if it weren't so sad, is how you all think you know more about the suffering of the American people than those of us who are elected by them to represent them at that table," Pelosi said.
Pelosi added that Democrats slamming her for not accepting the bill are not "negotiating this situation."
"They have no idea of the particulars. They have no idea of what the language is here," she claimed.
Pelosi then accused Blitzer of "defending the administration all this time."
"Madam Speaker, these are incredibly difficult times right now, and we'll leave on that note," Blitzer said.
"No, we'll leave it on the note that you're not right on this, Wolf, and I hate to say that to you," Pelosi responded.
"But I feel confident about it, and I feel confident about my colleagues, and I feel confident in my [committee] chairs."
Blitzer then told Pelosi the bill is "about millions of Americans who can't put food on the table, who can't pay the rent, and who are having trouble getting by."
"Thank you for your sensitivity to our constituents' needs," Pelosi responded sarcastically.
"I am sensitive to them because I see them on the street begging for food, begging for money," Blitzer said.
"Have you fed them? We feed them," she hit back.
