Kelly, Colleagues Push USDA on New World Screwworm Outbreak

Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and 17 of their colleagues urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take immediate action to contain and respond to the outbreak of New World Screwworm in the United States. “We write with great concern regarding the current outbreak of New World Screwworm within the United States and the growing threat this pest poses to livestock producers, farm workers, companion animals, wildlife, and rural economies across the country,” wrote the senators. “Since June 3, 2026, the United States Department of Agriculture has confirmed at least seven cases of New World Screwworm in Texas and New Mexico. Due to the scale of the animal health threat that New World Screwworm poses to the United States, we urge the USDA to take further immediate action to contain and respond to this emergency.” “We are aware that the USDA has engaged in preliminary efforts to contain this outbreak, including enhanced surveillance, sterile fly releases, coordination with animal health officials in Texas and New Mexico, and the confirmation that the U.S. food supply remains safe,” the senators continued. “These actions are critical first steps, but the evolving situation demands additional actions to ensure that the United States is adequately responding to the significance of this threat.” Along with Kelly, Klobuchar, Slotkin, Luján, and Heinrich, the letter was signed by Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Alex Padilla (D-CA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Tina Smith (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mark Warner (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Dick Durbin (D-IL). Click here to read the whole letter.