Rep. Roy Asks State Department to Pressure Mexico on Containing Screwworm

June 15, 2026 Press Release Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Chip Roy (TX-21) sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio asking the Department to encourage Mexico to fast-track approval of the NovoFly to contain the New World Screwworm (NWS). The letter comes as reports have indicated that the Mexican government is causing frustration and strain on the international partnership’s ability to beat back the Screwworm. Read the full letter here. Read the exclusive from the Texas Scorecard here. Letter: The Honorable Marco Rubio Secretary U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street, NW Washington, DC 20250 Dear Secretary Rubio, As I am sure you are aware, the New World Screwworm has crossed the border from Mexico into the United States. I want to thank you for the work your Department has done thus far, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture, for delaying the arrival of this pest. Still, I have received troubling reports that the Mexican government is causing frustration and strain on the international partnership’s ability to beat back the Screwworm. Specifically, I understand that the Mexican government is failing to expedite approval for NovoFly to operate within its borders. As the Department of State’s role in the interagency response to the Screwworm pest is to “[lead] diplomatic engagement to combat Screwworm by coordinating with host governments and interagency partners to share information, align technical assistance, and deliver consistent messaging," I want to urge the Department to use all of the tools available to encourage Mexico to fast track approval of the NovoFly and be the best partner it can be when it comes to taking the proper steps to further contain the Screwworm. I have no doubt that the State Department is actively engaged with Mexico on this issue, but the New World Screwworm could cripple Texas’s agricultural economy and seriously endanger the nation's food supply. Therefore, it is important to me that everything is being done across every agency of the Federal Government. I respectfully request a briefing from the Department of State on the diplomatic efforts being undertaken to coordinate with Mexico against this threat. Sincerely, Chip Roy Member of Congress