The gist

Forces the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Interior Department to coordinate on stopping New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite, in wildlife on federal lands.

Who wins, who loses

• Wins: cattle ranchers, the US beef supply, wildlife on federal lands, border-state economies in Texas and the Southwest.
• Loses: no one materially; bill adds coordination duties but no major restrictions.

What it does

• Requires a USDA-Interior agreement within 180 days of enactment.
• Sets joint surveillance, outbreak response, and eradication protocols with state officials.
• Covers National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife, Bureau of Land Management, Reclamation, and Forest Service lands.
• Mandates annual reports to Congress until the parasite is quarantined south of Panama's Darien Gap.

Why should I care?

Supporters say the screwworm, recently spreading north through Central America, could devastate US ranching and raise beef prices for families. Critics argue existing USDA programs already handle this and a new mandate adds paperwork without funding. An alternative being debated: direct emergency funding for sterile-fly programs at the border. Where do you land? Vote below and use "Tell Your Rep" to make sure your voice reaches Congress.