The White House on Monday again refused to apologize for staffer Kelly Sadler's derisive comment about Sen. John McCain John Sidney McCainCindy McCain endorses Biden: He's only candidate 'who stands up for our values' Biden says Cindy McCain will endorse him Biden's six best bets in 2016 Trump states MORE, saying the matter is "being addressed internally."

White House spokesman Raj Shah confirmed that Sadler called McCain's daughter, Meghan, to apologize for her remarks but indicated a public apology will not be forthcoming.

The comments created a multiday firestorm, which the White House is struggling to dig out of in part because it has refused to offer a public apology — as members of McCain's family and lawmakers in both parties have requested.

Shah condemned the leak of the remark, but declined to discuss his thoughts on the comments themselves.