Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) joined USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and Texas Governor Greg Abbott in Austin to announce a new USDA initiative. The department will fund and build a domestic sterile fly production facility aimed at improving efforts to contain and eradicate the New World screwworm (NWS).
“This Congress, one of my top priorities has been to strengthen our nation’s preparedness against a potential screwworm outbreak. That includes the construction of a domestic fly production facility, which is a key pillar of my STOP Screwworms Act. Under Secretary Rollins’ leadership of the USDA, we have made incredible strides to eliminate this dangerous parasite and protect our livestock industry. Today’s historic announcement is just further proof that this administration is prioritizing our farmers and ranchers like never before. Thank you, Secretary Rollins and Governor Abbott, for always being a steadfast partner in the good fight to protect Texas’ essential farmers and ranchers,” said Congressman Tony Gonzales.
The NWS pest poses significant risks to livestock, wildlife, pets, and on rare occasions, humans. In June, Congressman Gonzales joined Secretary Rollins in announcing a five-pronged plan by the USDA to improve detection, control, and elimination of NWS.
Earlier this year, Congressman Gonzales introduced the bipartisan Strengthening Tactics to Obstruct the Population of Screwworms (STOP Screwworms) Act with support from Texas Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz. The bill seeks funding for a sterile fly production facility within the United States. It has received endorsements from several agricultural organizations including the American Farm Bureau Federation and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
As part of his work on the House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Gonzales secured an increase in federal funding for screwworm eradication efforts—from $5.5 million up to $10 million—in the agriculture budget.
In March, he led a bipartisan letter signed by 43 members of Congress urging expanded USDA action on NWS containment. He also wrote separately to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., asking for cooperation among federal agencies to accelerate approval processes for anti-parasitic treatments for livestock.
Tony Gonzales has maintained strong electoral support over recent cycles: In 2024 he defeated Santos Limon with 62.3% of votes; in 2022 he won against John Lira with 55.9%; in 2020 he narrowly beat Gina Ortiz Jones with 50.6%.
