Nancy Pelosi Turns 80, Says She Is Not Celebrating ‘Until I Can Hug My Grandbabies’

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) kicked off her birthday at a press conference instead of a birthday party. The speaker turned 80 on Thursday.

During the press conference, she updated the nation on the massive funding bill aimed at helping the nation survive the coronavirus outbreak.

At the opening of her press conference, a reporter wished Pelosi a happy birthday, and after thanking him, she said, “I’m not celebrating, though, until I can hug my grandbabies. I’m waiting for that day, hopefully, that will be soon, but thank you.”

See her comments below:

Before entering politics, the Baltimore-born speaker raised five children and she now has nine grandchildren.

Democrats online also wished Pelosi a happy birthday.

Former Baltimore mayor and Maryland governor Martin O’Malley wrote on Twitter, “Happy Birthday, 👤Nancy Pelosi! Baltimore never produced finer leader. Thanks for all your steady leadership of our country through these days of unprecedented challenge.”

Some of the Democrats who she leads in the House also wished the speaker a happy birthday.

Congresswoman Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) wrote, “No matter the job, Speaker Pelosi rises to the occasion with love and grace for our country. Wishing my friend and mentor a happy birthday.”

Unfortunately for the Speaker — and for the nation — her birthday came as she is trying to wrestle a stimulus bill through 🏛️Congress, a bill which has been the result of many late nights of negotiations.

Pelosi is currently in her second tenure as speaker of the House, after previously holding the gavel during the Bush and Obama administrations. She has been in her seat, representing a district in San Francisco, since 1987, and she is the first woman to become the speaker of the House.