Official portrait of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, photographed January 11, 2019 in the Office of the Speaker in the United States Capitol. (United States House of Representatives)
LISA MASCARO and PADMANANDA RAMA
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi defended the stunning $3 trillion price of tag of Democrats' pandemic relief package Wednesday as what's needed to confront the "villainous virus" and economic collapse.
"The American people are worth it," Pelosi told The Associated Press.
In an interview with AP, Pelosi acknowledged the proposal is a starting point in negotiations with President Donald Trump and Republicans, who have flatly dismissed the coronavirus relief bill headed for a House vote.
The White House immediately dismissed the proposal, which is anchored in billions to the states and cash rebates to jobless Americans, as a nonstarter.
"Unserious," tweeted White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany.
As wary Americans
