Washington, D.C. — Congressmen Eugene Vindman (D-Va.-07), member of the Agriculture Committee, Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pa.-15), Chair of the Agriculture Committee, Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.-17), and McDonald Rivet (D-Mich.-08) introduced the bipartisan bill titled the If You See It, Squish It Act of 2025 to increase public awareness on the dangers of invasive, spotted lanternflies.
“As the only Virginian on the House Agriculture Committee, I know these invasive swarms of spotted lanternflies need to be squished to best support our local farms and farmers,”said Vindman. “The idea for this bipartisan legislation came from my constituent farmers who have lost crops to this invasive species. So, I have one message to my neighbors: if you see it, squish it!”
“The Spotted Lanternfly is a relentless menace that continues to harm the agricultural sector, damaging trees, and destroying crop yields,” said Thompson. “This bill importantly allows USDA to spread awareness through Public Service Announcements so we can inform people about this harmful pest, prevent the spread, and eradicate the Spotted Lanternfly, which inflicts so much harm on our environment and economy. I fully support the If You See It, Squish It Act to stomp this bug out for good.”
“The spotted lanternfly has quickly become one of the most destructive invasive species threatening agriculture and ecosystems in New York and across the country. Vineyards, orchards, and family farms in the Hudson Valley are already feeling the impact, and the costs will only grow if we don’t act. The If You See It, Squish It Act will launch a nationwide campaign to give the public the tools and information they need to help contain this pest,” said Lawler.
“Spotted lanternflies are attacking our local environment and farms,” said McDonald Rivet. “We can all play our part in stomping this invasive species out of Michigan. Our message is simple: if you see one, squish it.”
This bill would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a national campaign to increase public knowledge on the dangers of the invasive species known as spotted lanternflies. This campaign would include public service announcements encouraging individuals to kill spotted lanternflies as they pose a serious threat to local agriculture.
Across Virginia, spotted lanternflies pose the threat of $8 billion in losses to the wine industry.
“As a grape grower, I understand how much effort our producer community has put into fighting this invasive species. I’m encouraged to see common-sense, bipartisan legislation that will help curb a problem hurting Virginia agriculture and the entire wine industry,” said Shannon Horton, constituent and Vice President of Horton Vineyards. “We’ve taken steps on our farms — destroying egg sacs, changing what we plant to avoid attracting them — but this fight requires all hands on deck. With continued cooperation and support, we can protect Virginia agriculture and curb this immediate threat.”
###