PORTLAND, Maine (AP) Two senators from New England have charged that the shutdown of a government program designed to identify infectious diseases will make it more difficult for the U.S. to help combat coronavirus.

Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine and Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts say they sent a letter to the U.S. Agency of International Development asking for information about the agency’s decision to shutter PREDICT.

The program was charged with identifying and countering viruses that have the ability to cause public health emergencies.