Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) has called on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to restore funding for the Cross-Border Threat Screening and Supply Chain Defense (CBTS) Center of Excellence at Texas A&M University. The center, which supported federal and state agencies in protecting borders, the economy, and supply chains, lost its federal funding in April.
The request comes as new cases of the New World screwworm (NWS), a parasite affecting cattle and wildlife, have been detected in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, close to the Texas border. Gonzales highlighted the need for the center to help advance detection technologies, train personnel, and identify pest pathways before they impact U.S. supply chains.
Several Texas representatives joined Gonzales in supporting his letter to DHS: Monica De La Cruz (TX-15), Pete Sessions (TX-17), Michael McCaul (TX-10), Keith Self (TX-03), Jake Ellzey (TX-06), Nathaniel Moran (TX-01), Randy Weber (TX-14), Brian Babin (TX-36), John Carter (TX-31), August Pfluger (TX-11), and Morgan Luttrell (TX-08).
“As members of the Texas congressional delegation, we respectfully urge the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to reinstate the Cross-Border Threat Screening and Supply Chain Defense (CBTS) Center of Excellence at Texas A&M University. CBTS is in strategic proximity to an expansive portion of the southwest border and provides unique capabilities for innovation, training, and test and evaluation of border security technologies and methods. More importantly, the CBTS mission space encompasses naturally occurring and man-made biological threats—including the widespread outbreak of the re-emergent New World screwworm (NWS), flesh-eating larvae that are spreading northward through Mexico.
“CBTS is ready to equip DHS with research, training, and rapid-response capabilities essential to counter all-hazards border threats, including New World screwworm. We strongly urge DHS to promptly reinstate CBTS as an active Center of Excellence to ensure the nation remains prepared and resilient,” said Congressman Tony Gonzales in his letter.
Dr. Cliff Lamb, Director of AgriLife Research at Texas A&M AgriLife, stated: “The Cross-Border Threat Screening and Supply Chain Defense Center of Excellence at Texas A&M AgriLife has the expertise and tools to support DHS to keep our borders, economy, and food supply secure. Reinstating the center ensures we are prepared to respond quickly to emerging threats like the New World Screwworm before they reach U.S. soil.”
Each DHS Center of Excellence is led by a U.S. college or university working with other academic institutions as well as public agencies and industry partners. These centers conduct research aimed at providing solutions for homeland security challenges. The Centers were established following Congress’s mandate under the Homeland Security Act after 9/11.
Congressman Gonzales has taken several steps recently regarding NWS threats:
He formed a working group involving lawmakers, agricultural associations, scientists, veterinarians, farmers, and ranchers.
He requested information from FDA on drug approvals related to NWS outbreaks.
The FDA conditionally approved Dectomax-CA1 for use in cattle against NWS infestations.
Gonzales asked USDA for economic aid options for affected industries.
He joined USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and Governor Greg Abbott when USDA announced $750 million for a sterile fly production facility.
He urged Health & Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., USDA, EPA, and manufacturers to fast-track anti-parasitic treatments.
HHS eased restrictions on certain drugs used against screwworm infestation.
Gonzales supported a five-pronged plan with USDA officials focused on detection and eradication efforts.
He introduced bipartisan legislation—the STOP Screwworms Act—with Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz supporting domestic sterile fly production funding; major agricultural groups endorsed this bill.
Through his Appropriations Committee seat he helped double agriculture budget funds dedicated to screwworm eradication from $5.5 million to $10 million.
Gonzales led an initiative urging USDA expansion of containment efforts with support from House Agriculture Committee members.
In recent elections Tony Gonzales has maintained his seat by defeating opponents Santos Limon in 2024 by 62.3% to 37.7%, John Lira in 2022 by 55.9% to 38.8%, and Gina Ortiz Jones in 2020 by 50.6% to 46.6%.
