Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (R) and more than 20 members of the Texas congressional delegation are urging President Donald Trump to implement a coordinated federal response to combat the growing threat of the New World Screwworm, warning the parasite could inflict billions of dollars in damage on the livestock industry.
Why are Texas lawmakers sounding the alarm?
Rep. De La Cruz led a letter to President Trump calling for a whole-of-government strategy to address the spread of the New World Screwworm (NWS), a flesh-eating parasite that has recently been confirmed in Texas.
The lawmakers warned that if the pest is not contained, it could devastate livestock producers and cause economic losses similar to those seen during previous outbreaks in the 1950s and 1960s.
According to the letter, those historic losses would equal roughly 1.3$ billion annually in today's dollars.
What are lawmakers asking for?
The delegation praised the Trump administration's efforts to combat the parasite, including a $750 million investment to build a sterile fly production facility at Moore Air Base in Edinburg.
However, lawmakers said additional federal coordination is needed as new cases continue to emerge.
What the lawmakers are saying
The letter highlighted actions already taken by several federal agencies, including the creation of the New World Screwworm Directorate at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, emergency veterinary treatment authorizations from the Food and Drug Administration, and construction oversight by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Who signed the letter?
Rep. De La Cruz was joined by 21 Texas Republicans, including:
- Randy Weber
- Beth Van Duyne
- Dan Crenshaw
- Jodey Arrington
- Wesley Hunt
- Michael McCaul
- August Pfluger
- Keith Self
- Chip Roy
- Brandon Gill
- Michael Cloud
- Pat Fallon
- Roger Williams
- Troy Nehls
- Nathaniel Moran
- Jake Ellzey
- Ronny Jackson
- Brian Babin
- Morgan Luttrell
- Lance Gooden
- John Carter
