Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) convened a New World Screwworm (NWS) Working Group in Texas, bringing together federal and state lawmakers, agricultural associations, scientists, veterinarians, and local farmers and ranchers. The group discussed strategies to contain the NWS pest and prevent its spread in the United States.
“Containing the screwworm is a national emergency that must be addressed with the highest sense of urgency. Everything from food supply to our national security is at risk, and with a new infestation detected just 70 miles away from the Texas-Mexico border last week, the stakes are higher than ever,” said Congressman Tony Gonzales. “We truly need an all-hands-on-deck response to keep this deadly parasite away from the United States. Today’s launching of the New World Screwworm Working Group is a meaningful step forward in bringing expert leaders together to implement effective solutions and Texans getting things done—from ranchers to private industry to lawmakers at all levels of government.”
Attendees included Texas State Representative Don McLaughlin (HD-80), representatives from the offices of Texas Speaker of the House Dustin Burrows and Agriculture and Livestock Committee Chairman Ryan Guillen (HD-31), Kinney County Judge John Paul Schuster, as well as members of organizations such as the Texas Farm Bureau, Texas A&M University, Texas Public Policy Foundation, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Wildlife Association, Texas Animal Health Commission, various cattle raisers associations, sheep and goat raisers associations, and the Exotic Game Association.
Recent actions led by Congressman Gonzales include requesting information from the FDA on treatments for NWS outbreaks. The FDA has now conditionally approved Dectomax-CA1 for use in cattle against NWS infestations. He also asked USDA to consider economic aid for affected industries. In August 2025, Gonzales joined USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and Governor Greg Abbott in announcing a $750 million USDA commitment for a domestic sterile fly production facility aimed at controlling NWS.
Gonzales has advocated for faster approval of anti-parasitic treatments through coordination among HHS, USDA, EPA, and pharmaceutical manufacturers. HHS recently eased restrictions on certain drugs used against screwworms. Additionally, he worked with Secretary Rollins on a five-pronged plan for improved detection and eradication efforts.
In May 2025, Gonzales introduced bipartisan legislation—the Strengthening Tactics to Obstruct the Population of Screwworms (STOP Screwworms) Act—with Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz to support funding for sterile fly production. The bill received endorsements from several major agricultural organizations.
As part of his work on the House Appropriations Committee, Gonzales helped double funding for screwworm eradication efforts from $5.5 million to $10 million in the agriculture budget. He also led a bipartisan initiative urging expanded USDA efforts against NWS.
Tony Gonzales has maintained electoral support in his district over recent election cycles: In 2024 he defeated Santos Limon with 62.3% of votes; in 2022 he won against John Lira with 55.9%; and in 2020 he prevailed over Gina Ortiz Jones with 50.6%.
