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Texas Lawmakers Urge Trump Administration to Intensify Fight Against Screwworm

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

Raeylee Barefield

Raeylee Barefield is a Legislative Correspondent based in Austin, Texas, specializing in state government and public policy. With one year of reporting under her belt, she covers legislative developments, committee hearings, and policy debates. She has been cited by Texas Politics and Big Energy for her coverage and analysis of legislative and regulatory issues. Her reporting typically focuses on Public policy, Stare government, environmental policy, and energy regulation. To contact her, please reach out at Raeylee@dnm.news