{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.schmitt.senate.gov/media/press-releases/schmitt-leads-bill-to-prioritize-research-on-tick-borne-livestock-disease/", "Schmitt Leads Bill to Prioritize Research on Tick-Borne Livestock Disease", "2026-08-05", "2026", "2026-08", "Republican", "Senate", "MO", "Eric Schmitt", "S001227", "www.schmitt.senate.gov", "schmitt", "https://www.schmitt.senate.gov/media/press-releases/", "scraper", "Bill Designates Tick-Borne Livestock Disease as High-Priority Research Area to Protect Missouri Livestock Producers, Specifically for Disease Associated with the Asian Longhorned Tick\n\nU.S. SENATE \u2014 Today, U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO), joined by U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) and U.S. Senator Jim Justice (R-WV), introduced the Emerging Tick-Borne Livestock Disease Research Prioritization Act, which statutorily designates tick-borne livestock disease as a high-priority research area at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The bill authorizes USDA to make competitive grants within pre-existing research programs aimed at developing vaccines, therapeutics, and treatments for tick-borne livestock disease. Specifically, the bill targets diseases associated with the Asian Longhorned Tick, several of which lack an approved vaccine or treatment.\n\n\u201cMissouri is one of the nation\u2019s leaders in livestock production, and our farmers and ranchers work too hard to have their livelihoods threatened by emerging tick-borne diseases. Invasive species like the Asian Longhorned Tick pose a growing risk to our livestock industry and the families who depend on it. By elevating the need for critical research into tick-borne livestock disease, we\u2019re helping ensure producers have the tools they need to protect their herds, strengthen our food supply, and keep America\u2019s agriculture industry competitive. I\u2019ll keep working with Missouri\u2019s farm families to protect for the Show-Me State\u2019s number one economic driver,\u201d said Senator Schmitt.\n\n\u201cCattle producers are not short on issues impacting their industry right now. The national cattle herd size is the lowest it\u2019s been in 75 years, and with emerging threats like Asian Longhorned Ticks and New World Screwworm, the industry is under even more pressure. USDA needs to do everything they can to help find ways to combat vector-borne diseases and other threats to livestock, and this bill makes it a priority for them,\u201d said Senator Jim Justice.\n\n\u201cKansas ranchers already have enough challenges without worrying about another invasive pest threatening their herds. As the Asian Longhorn Tick continues to spread, we need to stay ahead of it\u2014not play catch-up,\u201d said Senator Marshall. \u201cThis bill makes sure USDA treats this growing threat like the priority it is by directing more research toward protecting our cattle, our producers, and our food supply.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nThanks to Senator Schmitt\u2019s advocacy, this legislation is included in the current draft of the Senate Farm Bill.\n\nMissouri consistently ranks among the nation\u2019s top three beef producers, supporting nearly 40,000 jobs.\n\nAsian Longhorn Ticks have spread aggressively across Missouri over the last several years. These ticks spread debilitating diseases including Theileriosis, which cause anemia, persistent infection, or death in livestock. There are no effective treatments for the condition, costing producers thousands of dollars per head when an animal dies.\n\nMissouri\u2019s livestock industry contributes more than $9 billion in value added annually\n\nStatements of Support:\n\n\u201cThe Asian Longhorned tick is a rapidly growing threat to cattle and humans, with more research needed to combat this pest and the infectious diseases it carries. This legislation would fund critical research and education efforts that will improve cattle health, animal welfare, and the long-term financial stability of farmers and ranchers. Cattle producers understand it will take a collective effort to protect the future of U.S. cattle industry, and this bill is an important step in these efforts. NCBA thanks Senator Schmitt for introducing this legislation and working with U.S. cattle producers to lead the way on cutting edge research efforts,\u201d said Sigrid Johannes, Director of Government Affairs, National Cattlemen\u2019s Beef Association.\n\n\u201cWe met with Senator Schmitt and his team multiple times about the emergency in the U.S. cattle herd created by the Asian longhorned tick. He listened and went to work. Missouri producers are facing serious losses and lack tools to deploy to address the issue. We need research now that will lead to solutions as quickly as possible,\u201dsaid Mike Deering, Executive Vice President, Missouri Cattlemen\u2019s Association.\n\n\u201cAs the University of Missouri\u2019s land-grant college of agriculture, we hear directly from the farmers, ranchers, and rural communities we serve about the challenges they face. Emerging tick-borne livestock diseases are a growing concern, and our role is to turn research into real-world solutions through innovation, Extension, and partnerships with producers. Senator Schmitt\u2019s legislation recognizes the importance of investing in research and Extension so we can continue equipping Missouri\u2019s livestock producers with the tools they need to protect herd health, strengthen rural communities, and keep America\u2019s food supply strong and secure,\u201d said Christopher Daubert, Dean of the University of Missouri\u2019s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.\n\n\u201cLivestock producers know firsthand how tick-borne illnesses can disrupt herd health and daily operations. When farmers invest their time, money and care into their animals, they need clear answers about the diseases that threaten them. Prioritizing research on tick-borne illnesses will help producers respond when disease strikes. Better data, improved diagnostics and stronger management tools all begin with focused scientific research. Understanding these diseases isn\u2019t optional; it\u2019s essential. We appreciate Sen. Eric Schmitt and his colleagues for recognizing this growing challenge and highlighting the need for stronger, targeted research,\u201d said Garrett Hawkins, a 5th generation farmer from St. Clair County and President of Missouri Farm Bureau.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-06T07:37:31Z", "2026-08-06T07:38:34Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.schmitt.senate.gov/media/press-releases/schmitt-leads-bill-to-prioritize-research-on-tick-borne-livestock-disease/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 4.209473030641675, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}