White House asks Congress for $1.5 billion to fight swine flu outbreak

White House asks lawmakers for $1.5b for flu

WASHINGTON — The White House is asking Congress for $1.5 billion to fight a swine flu outbreak.

President Barack Obama sent a letter to lawmakers on Tuesday, asking them for a supplemental spending plan to build drug stockpiles and monitor future cases. Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs read the letter to White House reporters on Tuesday.

Obama says the money will also help international efforts to control the outbreak.

Gibbs says the swine flu requires “prudent planning” and not panic.