House · HR 5614 · 119th Congress
If You See It, Squish It Act of 2025
Summary
This bill tells the Department of Agriculture to run a national awareness campaign about spotted lanternflies. The campaign would include TV, radio, and billboard ads in areas where the bugs are common. It targets the general public and aims to get people to kill the invasive pest when they see it.
In Favor
Spotted lanternflies destroy crops like grapes, hops, and fruit trees across many states. A public awareness campaign gets more eyes on the problem at low cost. Encouraging people to kill the bugs on sight could slow the spread before it causes more farm damage.
Against
This bill is largely symbolic and does not fund pest control, research, or enforcement. Public service announcements alone are unlikely to stop a fast-spreading invasive species. The money spent on ads could instead go toward more direct and proven control methods.
Additional Considerations
Purpose & Problem
Is the problem real and worth federal action?
The bill directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to run a national public awareness campaign about spotted lanternflies, an invasive insect that damages crops and trees.
Scope & Related Provisions
Does it stay focused, or carry unrelated add-ons?
The provisions stay on topic, focusing only on public outreach about spotted lanternflies through announcements, billboards, and other awareness tools.
Who Is Affected
Who benefits, and who bears the cost?
The public in areas with high spotted lanternfly activity would receive the campaign messages. The Department of Agriculture would take on new duties to plan and run the campaign.
Cost & Funding
Is it affordable and responsibly funded?
The bill does not state a dollar amount or include a cost estimate. It requires the Department of Agriculture to spend agency resources to place ads and run outreach, but names no specific funding level.
Risks & Implementation
What could go wrong in practice?
The bill requires placing ads in areas of high insect activity, so the Department must first identify and track those areas accurately. The bill does not specify how compliance or campaign reach will be measured.
For the actual bill text, see congress.gov.
AI-generated · Published 7/22/2026