Rep. Gabe Vasquez Demands Answers Over Reported Delays to Critical New World Screwworm Facility

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On September 22, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) led nine of his House colleagues in demanding answers from U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins following reports that USDA delayed construction of a critical New World Screwworm (NWS) containment facility in order to pursue a proposal from a politically connected contractor.

The lawmakers' demand comes as the threat of NWS continues in New Mexico. Last week, officials confirmed the state's second case of New World screwworm. New Mexico's first case was detected in June.

"NWS is not an abstract threat. Every day lost preparing our defenses puts American cattle producers, rural communities, and our food supply at greater risk," wrote Vasquez. "Ranchers should not have to pay the price for a federal contracting process influenced by political connections instead of experience, science, and the ability to get the job done."

"The federal government has a responsibility to move quickly when the livelihoods of American ranchers and the security of our food supply are at stake," continued Vasquez. "It also has a responsibility to ensure contracts are awarded based on qualifications, value to taxpayers, and the ability to deliver, not political connections."

According to reports, USDA spent approximately six months considering a proposal from a firm with no significant biocontainment experience that has political ties to the Trump Administration. After it was determined that the politically-connected firm could not complete the project within its underbid budget and timeline, USDA then spent several additional months reviewing proposals before moving forward with another contractor for a facility now estimated to cost approximately $750 million.

Vasquez and his colleagues are asking USDA to:

• Explain when officials became aware of the contractor's political connections and lack of biocontainment experience;
• Share the research that was conducted on the proposal;
• Explain why the Department continued considering the contractor for approximately six months;
• How much the process delayed construction on the key facility to stop the spread of NWS and what effect that delay has had on USDA's ability to protect livestock producers.

Vasquez has advocated for ranchers in their fight against NWS time and time again:

• In June, Rep. Vasquez took ranchers' straight to Washington and pressed Secretary Rollins on New World Screwworm (NWS) containment, payment and service delays caused by USDA staffing shortages.
• In April, he sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins demanding answers on the Administration's preparedness strategy for a New World Screwworm (NWS) outbreak as the warmer months approach.
• On March 3, 2026, Rep. Vasquez secured unanimous, bipartisan support in the House Agriculture Committee for his Farm Bill amendment condemning the Administration's push to prioritize Argentinian beef imports at the expense of our American cattle ranchers.
• Last year, he sounded the alarm on NWS by calling on the USDA to take immediate steps to protect ranchers while balancing the interests of New Mexico's small businesses.
• He was also integral in securing the necessary funding to build a sterile fly facility through the STOP Screwworms Act, legislation that required the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a New World Screwworm fly rearing facility to combat the spread of Screwworms.
• In 2024, Vasquez adamantly opposed the Biden administration's push to import beef from Paraguay. No matter the political party, Rep. Vasquez is fully committed to fighting for American ranchers.

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