Washington, D.C.— This week, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06), U.S. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), and U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) will introduce the Secure Commercial Driver Licensing Act of 2025, legislation to prevent illegal immigrants from obtaining Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs). The legislation also holds states accountable that refuse to follow federal law and prevent these licenses from going to illegal immigrants. The bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate on Thursday and will be introduced by Barr in the House of Representatives on Friday.
This legislation comes on the heels of an illegal immigrant operating an 18-wheeler killing three Americans while he illegally made a U-turn.
“By issuing CDLs to illegal immigrants, states like California are undermining federal law and endangering public safety,” said Congressman Barr. “Our bill restores accountability by strengthening President Trump’s authority to hold liberal states in check when they defy federal law and recklessly grant CDLs to illegal immigrants.”
“For everyone’s safety, you must be able to read and understand English road signs when operating a commercial vehicle. Our bill would require commercial drivers to pass the test given in English,” said Senator Cotton.
“If you drive a truck in the United States, you should be able to speak English fluently. This protects our law enforcement officers and the general public. This is not only about safety and efficiency – it’s just commonsense. Whether taking their kids to school, driving to work, or going to the grocery store, Americans shouldn’t feel in danger every time they get on the road,” said Senator Tuberville.
The Secure Commercial Driver Licensing Act would:
- Require all testing related to the issuance or renewal of a commercial driver’s license (CDL), including non-domiciled CDLs, to be conducted only in English
- Empower the Secretary of Transportation to suspend or revoke a state’s authority to issue non-domiciled CDLs if found non-compliant with federal standards
- Require individuals to hold a standard driver’s license for one year before obtaining a CDL
Text of the bill can be found here.
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