GOP Pushes English Requirements, Stricter CDL Vetting Standards

Key Details Congressional Republicans are intensifying efforts to tighten commercial driver license requirements, citing fatal crashes involving unauthorized drivers. Rep. Josh Brecheen and Sen. Jim Banks are spearheading the push, with Banks introducing legislation called Dalilah's Law on February 25. The bill targets stricter CDL issuance standards and would restrict licenses to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and specific work-visa holders. Why It Matters Brecheen cited 17 fatal crashes and 30 deaths in 2025 alone allegedly caused by undocumented immigrants operating commercial vehicles. The legislation responds directly to President Trump's State of the Union address highlighting safety concerns. Current enforcement gaps allow inconsistent CDL compliance across states, creating public safety risks on highways. Proposed Changes Dalilah's Law would mandate English-only testing for CDL applicants and revoke licenses issued to undocumented immigrants or those with temporary status. The measure also addresses non-domiciled CDL issuance and enforcement challenges that lawmakers say exploit regulatory loopholes. Banks emphasized the stakes, stating that illegal drivers are being handed licenses and placed behind 80,000-pound trucks. Next Steps The legislation awaits committee consideration. Brecheen stressed the importance of state-level enforcement and keeping licenses away from unqualified drivers as both a public safety and national security matter.