U.S. Representative Tony Gonzales and Senators John Cornyn, Ted Cruz, Ben Ray Luján, Cindy Hyde-Smith, and Martin Heinrich have introduced the bipartisan Strengthening Tactics to Obstruct the Population of Screwworms (STOP Screwworms) Act. This legislation aims to address the New World screwworm outbreak by authorizing funds for a new sterile fly production facility in the United States.
Congressman Tony Gonzales emphasized the urgency of eradicating this pest: “Ag producers across America are sounding the alarm—the New World Screwworm is making a comeback, and our livestock industry is in real danger. We need to fully eradicate this pest before it’s too late.”
Senator John Cornyn highlighted the importance of protecting American livestock: “Combatting the destructive New World screwworm is vital to protecting our cattle, Texas producers, and the American livestock industry as a whole.”
Senator Ted Cruz added his support for safeguarding Texas agriculture: “Texas agriculture and livestock are a core part of the Texas economy, and they feed America and the world.”
Senator Ben Ray Luján noted the critical nature of this investment for New Mexico’s cattle industry: “Given the current screwworm outbreak, Congress must take immediate action to help protect New Mexico’s cattle and livestock from this growing threat.”
The STOP Screwworms Act has also gained support from numerous U.S. Representatives across various states. Organizations such as the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Livestock Marketing Association, Texas Farm Bureau, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association have endorsed this initiative.
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall stated: “We commend the leadership shown by Congressman Gonzales and Senator Cornyn to protect the health and economic viability of the U.S. livestock sector.”
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Buck Wehrbein expressed concern about potential devastation from screwworms: “When I was growing up, I heard stories of how damaging…I never want to see that kind of devastation return.”
The proposed facility would produce sterile male screwworm flies for release into infested areas—a technique previously successful in eradicating NWS from both the United States in the 1960s and Mexico in later decades.
In light of recent outbreaks detected moving northward through Mexican states like Chiapas, Campeche, and Tabasco towards U.S. borders—prompting USDA Secretary Rollins’ testimony before Congress—the establishment of a domestic facility is seen as crucial against an agricultural crisis.
