Mary Miller and DOGE are Screwing Illinois Farmers - Again

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - June 5, 2026 - PRLog -- Representative Mary Miller (R-IL) and the Republicans in Congress who supported the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts masterminded by Elon Musk and Donald Trump are screwing Illinois farmers and consumers once again. This time because DOGE cut funding to prevent the New World Screwworm from invading the US.

The New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite that can devastate livestock, has now been found in Texas. Before DOGE, the United States invested in preventing its spread into the country. DOGE cut funding for Central American containment and monitoring programs and, for the first time since 1966, screwworm is here.

Jennifer Todd, Democratic Candidate for Congress in Illinois 15th District said, "As a nurse and a mom, I know something simple: prevention matters. You don't wait until a small problem becomes a crisis before you act. You pay attention to warning signs. You take steps to prevent bigger, more expensive problems down the road.That's just common sense."

Mary Miller, who co-sponsored legislation (H.R. 2006) to codify DOGE into federal law, and the House Republicans went along with the DOGE cuts of USAID cuts which limited the overseas sale of grains and opposed the prevention of screwworm.

Next, Republicans raised tariffs which hurt farmers coming and going, and then they supported President Trump's attacks on Iran which has raised worldwide oil prices hitting the diesel fuel which farmers use every day.

Mary Miller is hitting Illinois farmers again and again. They will be forced to pass their increased costs on to consumers who are already being hurt by rising costs of consumer goods and gasoline.

"We need leaders who understand that when our farmers succeed, our communities succeed. In Congress, I'll fight for policies that help family farms stay strong, lower costs for working families and create economic opportunities right here in the 15th District," concluded Todd.

While it is not easy to find the exact amount of the cuts, DOGE slashed approximately $40 million in preventative efforts for international parasite and pest monitoring programs, such as the screwworm prevention projects in Mexico and Central America. USDA estimates that it could cost up to $1.8 billion for eradication of the screwworm in Texas.

Website: jenntodd2026.us