Legislation introduced on Oct. 17 by U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) aims to prevent illegal immigrants from obtaining commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) and would hold states accountable if illegal immigrants are found to have CDLs.
“By issuing CDLs to illegal immigrants, states like California are undermining federal law and endangering public safety,” Rep. Barr said. “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.”
Rep. Barr sponsored the Secure Commercial Driver Licensing Act, H.R. 5767, which would require all testing related to the issuance or renewal of a CDL, including non-domiciled CDLs, to be conducted only in English.
Additionally, H.R. 5767 would permit the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to suspend or revoke a state’s authority to issue non-domiciled CDLs if found non-compliant with federal standards, and would require individuals to hold a standard driver’s license for one year before obtaining a CDL, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmaker.
Republicans proposed the identical S. 3013 in the U.S. Senate on Oct. 16.