Bipartisan legislation that aims to stop the spread of the spotted lanternfly has been introduced in Congress.

U.S. Reps. Mike Kelly, R-16th, Joe Morelle, D-N.Y., Nick Langworthy, R-N.Y., and Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., introduced the Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act Tuesday, June 6.

Sens. John Fetterman, D-Pa., Bob Casey, D-Pa., Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, are introducing companion legislation in the Senate.

The spotted lanternfly is an invasive species that poses a significant threat to the nation’s agricultural economy. The act would designate the spotted lanternfly as a high-priority research and extension initiative under the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Spotted lanternflies, which are native to Asia and were first found in Pennsylvania in 2014, have decimated crops in the Keystone state, according to Kelly’s office. A recent economic impact study estimated the insect could cost the state $324 million annually and more than 2,800 jobs.

The high-priority designation authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make competitive grants available for research projects related to the mitigation of this invasive species to find creative solutions to stop the spread before New York and Pennsylvania’s cash crops are further decimated.