Pelosi mourns first coronavirus death, promises congressional response

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) mourned the death of the first person killed by the coronavirus in the United States and promised congressional action.

© Getty Images Pelosi mourns first coronavirus death, promises congressional response

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) announced Saturday that a person in his state had died as a result of contracting the virus.

"The American people expect a well-coordinated, fully-funded response that appropriately addresses this public health crisis," Pelosi tweeted.

Sadly and prayerfully, today, we learned of the first death from the #coronavirus in the United States. The American people expect a well-coordinated, fully-funded response that appropriately addresses this public health crisis.

- Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) February 29, 2020

She added that members of the House Appropriations Committee are working on increasing funds to combat the virus.

The Trump administration earlier this week submitted a $2.5 billion supplemental funding request to Congress, a figure lawmakers in both parties have viewed as insufficient. The final package is likely to be between $6 billion and $8 billion, The Hill reported Friday.

"Congress is taking steps to ensure the government has access to the resources needed to combat this deadly virus & keep Americans safe," she wrote. "House appropriators are working hard on a funding package which we hope to vote on next week."