One member of Congress alone has limited power in an emergency at the scale of the screwworm outbreak, and federal and state officials are mobilizing resources. And there are plenty of powerful members from West and South Texas who are engaged and able to ask questions directly to federal personnel.
But given the high-profile federal response and importance of the cattle industry to the district’s economy, the lack of a representative could hamper constituents’ ability to get information or be heard.
Absent a representative, both candidates to replace Gonzales are trying to convene ranchers, get information from the federal government and get information to people in the district — without the title of “Representative” next to their names that affords more information access.
When he was in office, Gonzales led the introduction of a House bill, cosponsored by the majority of the Texas delegation and included members of both parties, to establish a facility to grow sterile New World screwworm flies in areas at risk of infection — though the bill never received a vote.
Gonzales also launched a screwworm working group with federal personnel, state stakeholders and ranchers, and was on site when Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a plan to eliminate New World screwworm last June.
USDA did break ground on a sterile fly facility in Edinburg in April, flanked by Republican Sen. John Cornyn and Republican U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, but the facility is not yet operational, though Rollins has pledged to fasttrack its opening.
Yo Texas.
You doing alright over there?
You’ve got parasites, your electric grid is questionable, your politicians are redrawing maps without your permission, and weed still isn’t legal.
Best Wishes,
California
It’s bad but at least it’s not raining (stares into hurricane season as it’s just beginning)
The ten plagues occurred in the following sequence:
Water to Blood: The Nile River and all Egyptian water sources turned to blood, killing the fish and creating a foul odor. (bye bye EPA)
Frogs: Countless frogs swarmed the land, invading homes, beds, and ovens. All gay.
Gnats (or Lice): Gnats emerged from the dust, tormenting both humans and animals.
Flies: Hordes of flies infested the country
Livestock Pestilence: A severe disease killed the Egyptians’ horses, donkeys, camels, cattle, and sheep (you are here)
Boils: Painful, festering boils broke out on the skin of all Egyptians and their animals.
Hail: A destructive storm of thunder, fire, and heavy hail destroyed crops, trees, and livestock left in the fields. (Florida in September.)
Locusts: Swarms of locusts devoured every green plant and tree left by the hail.
Darkness: A thick, palpable darkness covered Egypt for three days, confining people to their homes. (another Blue Origin fail?)
Death of the Firstborn: The final and most severe plague took the life of every firstborn male in Egypt (measles?)
Before its elimination in the US, the screwworm fly could spread as far as the Canadian border in favorable years. Dispersals occur at a rate of about 80 to 160 km (50 to 99 mi) per generation.
I wonder it favorable years are more common now, with global warming in full swing.
Also the fly will infect any warm blooded animal including livestock, pets, humans and even birds.
Edit: I hope they infect Elon Musk since his DOGE shit directly led to this.
Beef prices are already high due to herd mismanagement, beef will be insane in a few months.
good thing soylent green is cheap.
Texas, the One Star State.
MAGAs getting exactly what they voted for. I love that for them.
The congressman they voted for was actively fighting screwworm
If I was a religious type I would think God was mad at us for electing this dude
“God is angry because we elected the wrong dude” is just a mantra the losing party repeats following every defeat.
On the flip side, “God’s light shines on our candidate!” is the mantra the winning party repeats following every victory.
Almost as though it’s just hollow partisan superstition used to distract the gullible types from policy.
Just let the farmers deal with it. If meat becomes unaffordably expensive, then let them eat vegetables I guess? This is what they wanted
It has spread to a dog already. https://slrpnk.net/post/38838127
Once again, everyore and everything else ends up suffering to acommodate the Repubs. Ugh
Thoughts and prayers
