Last week, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced the If You See It, Squish It Act of 2025 in an effort to raise public awareness about the dangers posed by invasive spotted lanternflies. Representatives Mike Lawler (NY-17), Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), and Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) are sponsoring the bill.
Representative Mike Lawler stated, “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.”
Congressman Thompson added, “The spotted lanternfly is a relentless menace that continues to harm the agricultural sector, damaging trees, and destroying crop yields. 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.”
Representative Vindman said, “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. 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!”
Congresswoman McDonald Rivet commented, “Spotted lanternflies are attacking our local environment and farms. We can all play our part in stomping this invasive species out of Michigan. Our message is simple: if you see one, squish it.”
If enacted into law, this legislation would require the Secretary of Agriculture to run a national campaign aimed at educating Americans about how dangerous spotted lanternflies are for agriculture. The campaign would use Public Service Announcements urging people to kill these insects because they pose a significant threat to local farming.
Representative Lawler represents New York’s 17th Congressional District north of New York City—covering Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties—and has been recognized as one of Congress’s most bipartisan members.
