Introducing the Nonresident CDL Integrity Act
As someone who values the rule of law and national security, I have put forward the Nonresident CDL Integrity Act. This legislation aims to remove foreign truck drivers from our roads—almost 97% of them—because, frankly, they often lack the skills needed for safe driving. It’s hard to fathom, but many of these individuals can’t even read or speak English, which is critical for operating large vehicles safely.
The lack of proper state enforcement allows inadequately trained and non-English speaking drivers to pose risks on American roads. A national audit by the Department of Transportation revealed that at least six states are falling short in adhering to federal standards regarding nonresident commercial driver licenses (CDL). These standards are in place to ensure road safety and secure trucking jobs in the country.
Liberal states like California have neglected the serious abuses in the CDL issuance process, often choosing to prioritize illegal immigrants over American drivers. Licenses are issued to individuals lacking proper legal status, those with expired documents, or who don’t meet federal immigration criteria. This is a reckless practice that compromises the safety of Americans daily.
This year, we’ve seen dire consequences; at least 12 lives, including those of two children, were lost in accidents involving undocumented drivers. For instance, in Florida, an illegal alien made a dangerous U-turn that resulted in three fatalities. Strikingly, this driver had received a CDL from the California DMV, under the leadership of Governor Gavin Newsom.
To tackle this urgent issue, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and the Trump Administration took immediate action to revoke the ability of non-domiciliary states to provide CDLs to ineligible foreign drivers. My bill, H.R. 5688, the Non-Domicile CDL Integrity Act, aims to make these actions permanent. It would prevent states from issuing CDLs to undocumented immigrants and others who don’t meet strict safety and employment standards. This sensible policy could save lives and ensure that rogue states aren’t putting Americans at risk.
Upholding the rule of law, securing our borders, and prioritizing the safety of American families should always be our foremost concern. If someone is operating a multi-ton truck on our roads, it needs to be inspected thoroughly and meet the highest safety standards.
I’m proud to align with Secretary Sean Duffy and President Trump in restoring integrity to the CDL process. Together, we not only advocate for hardworking American truck drivers but also for every family and individual who uses our roads.
