WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi is defending the chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, who's been under attack from presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.

Pelosi tells reporters that DNC head Debbie Wasserman Schultz is respected by her colleagues for working hard and trying to unify the party.

Pelosi was asked if that was her personal view as well, and the California Democrat said, "That was my statement."

Sanders' long-shot bid for the presidential nomination against Hillary Clinton has left rifts in the party.

Sanders has accused Wasserman Schultz — who's also a Florida congresswoman — of favoring Clinton.

Pelosi says she believes unease among Democrats largely stems from the party's delegate selection process, which Sanders has criticized.