Bills · HR 3392
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 3392Agriculture and Food
STOP Screwworms Act
INTRO MAY 14· LAST ACTION MAY 14
READING
3MIN
COSPONSORS
51BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenVoters should care about this bill because New World screwworms are a serious threat to animal health and the agricultural economy. These flies lay their eggs in open wounds of warm-blooded animals, and the maggots then eat living flesh, causing severe pain, infection, and often death if untreated. An outbreak can devastate livestock herds, leading to significant financial losses for farmers and potentially higher meat prices for consumers. It also poses a grave danger to wildlife.
Currently, the U.S. uses a strategy of releasing sterile screwworms to control populations, but an outbreak in recent years highlighted the need for more robust, domestic facilities. If this bill becomes law, it would establish a dedicated, permanent U.S.-based infrastructure to fight screwworms, providing a consistent supply of sterile flies and a proactive defense against future outbreaks. If it doesn't pass, the country remains reliant on existing, potentially insufficient, resources and risks more severe or prolonged outbreaks that could harm animals and the economy.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to begin constructing one or more modular New World screwworm fly rearing facilities within 180 days of the bill's enactment.
This establishes a dedicated national infrastructure to combat screwworms, providing a steady supply of sterile flies for pest control.
PROVISION 02
The facilities will produce sterile screwworm flies for release into areas at risk of infestation.
This directly implements the Sterile Insect Technique, a proven method for controlling screwworm populations by preventing successful reproduction.
PROVISION 03
The Secretary must select facility locations based on risk of infestation and suitability for distributing sterile flies.
This ensures strategic placement of facilities for maximum effectiveness in protecting vulnerable regions.
PROVISION 04
Mandates annual reports to Congress and the public on the screwworm threat and the effectiveness of control efforts, including the new facilities.
This provides transparency and accountability for the program, allowing for oversight and public awareness of its progress.
PROVISION 05
Authorizes $300,000,000 for carrying out the provisions of this section, to remain available until expended.
This provides the necessary funding to build and operate the facilities and implement the screwworm eradication program.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 51
R· Texas
YRS IN OFFICE
5
BILLS LED
29
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 54%
DEM 14 REP 37 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSMAY 14
Introduced in House
MAY 14
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 3392
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedMay 14, 2025
Last actionMay 14, 2025
READER REACTIONS
OVERALL SENTIMENT
No reactions yet. Be the first to weigh in.
Discussion
Loading comments...
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED MAY 14, 2025
House BillHR 3392Agriculture and Food
STOP Screwworms Act
INTRODUCED MAY 14, 2025· LAST ACTION MAY 14, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
3 min
COSPONSORS
51
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
