(Washington) The U.S. Health Secretary briefed senators on his department’s needs to handle the growth of the Coronavirus.

Alex Azar asked for 2-and-a-half billion dollars to help limit the spread of the virus.

Missouri Senator Roy Blunt says there’s still some money in a federal infectious disease fund for now.

Blunt says the health secretary also has some other spending freedom.

Blunt says the government has enough time to figure out how much it will cost to deal with the virus.

Senator Blunt chairs a panel on the budget committee that oversees the U.S. Department of Labor, Health and Human Services.

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