House Backs Dalilah's Law CDL Restrictions in Committee Vote

Key Details The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee approved the House version of Dalilah's Law on Wednesday with a 35-26 party-line vote. The bill, introduced by Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC), aims to tighten commercial driver's license issuance standards. A companion Senate bill (S. 3917) was introduced by Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN) and received endorsement from President Trump during his State of the Union address. Why It Matters The legislation targets removal of CDL holders whose legal status in the U.S. doesn't meet approved categories. The bill is named after Dalilah Coleman, a California child who suffered long-term injuries in a 2024 collision involving an undocumented driver. Dalilah and her family attended the committee hearing. English Proficiency Requirements The House bill's primary provision requires the Department of Transportation to ensure CDL operators can read and speak English. Drivers must demonstrate ability to converse with law enforcement, understand highway signs and signals, respond to official inquiries, and complete required reports and records in English. Next Steps While the House committee has approved its version, the Senate bill has no scheduled hearings or markups as of Wednesday. The House and Senate versions contain key differences that will need reconciliation before final passage.