A Republican bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as "The Dalilah Law," aims to restrict who can obtain a commercial driver's license. It would prohibit the issuance of these licenses to anyone who is not a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident, or a holder of specific work visas. The legislation requires states to implement a recertification process for current license holders within 180 days. It also mandates that such licenses and examinations be conducted in English. Failure to comply with these rules would result in the withholding of federal funding from the state.
Yes
- Scored +5
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill significantly increases federal authority by withholding funding from states that do not comply with federal licensing mandates.
- Scored +1
Would white Americans be better off under this?
The bill prioritizes citizens and legal residents, which disproportionately benefits the majority demographic.
- Scored +1
Does this tighten control of the border?
The bill aligns commercial licensing with citizenship/legal status requirements similar to border security priorities.
The opposite· 3 of 11
- Scored -5
Would immigrants be better off under this?
The bill creates strict barriers and potential lifetime bans for many non-citizen immigrants.
- Scored -5
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
The bill limits state autonomy by imposing strict federal requirements and penalties on state licensing processes.
- Scored -3
Would business owners be better off under this?
Trucking and logistics business owners may face labor shortages due to these restrictions.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Verification of Status: The bill establishes specific criteria for who can hold a commercial driver's license, requiring individuals to be citizens, lawful permanent residents, or specific nonimmigrants (Section 2(b)).
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English Language Proficiency: The law requires individuals to be proficient in the English language to maintain their license (Section 2(d)(1)(B)).
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Standardized Testing: The bill mandates that all covered examinations regarding the acquisition or maintenance of a license be taken in English (Section 2(d)(1)(C)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Strict Disqualification: Individuals operating a commercial motor vehicle who do not meet the new citizenship or visa requirements face a lifetime disqualification from operating such vehicles (Section 2(c)).
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Mandatory Recertification Burden: Current license holders must undergo a recertification process within 180 days of the act's enactment to avoid having their license revoked (Section 2(d)(1)).
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License Revocation: A state must revoke the license or authorization of any individual who fails to recertify, does not meet the new status requirements, or fails the English proficiency and examination requirements (Section 2(d)(2)).
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Financial Risks to States: States face the withholding of all "covered funding" if they fail to complete the required recertifications, fail to revoke ineligible licenses, or issue licenses to individuals who do not meet the new status or English language standards (Section 2(e)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would white Americans be better off under this? — The bill prioritizes citizens and legal residents, which disproportionately benefits the majority demographic. Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill creates strict barriers and potential lifetime bans for many non-citizen immigrants. Would business owners be better off under this? — Trucking and logistics business owners may face labor shortages due to these restrictions. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill may disproportionately affect Hispanic populations who often represent a large portion of the non-citizen workforce. Would farmers be better off under this? — Agricultural industries relying on commercial transport may experience labor and logistics disruptions. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The restriction may impact the livelihoods of low-income immigrants working in transport.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this tighten control of the border? — The bill aligns commercial licensing with citizenship/legal status requirements similar to border security priorities. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The mandate could disproportionately affect non-citizen demographics that may rely on commercial driving. Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens? — The bill imposes stricter requirements for non-citizens rather than expanding pathways.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The restriction on commercial driver's licenses may reduce available labor for the transportation sector.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill significantly increases federal authority by withholding funding from states that do not comply with federal licensing mandates. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill limits state autonomy by imposing strict federal requirements and penalties on state licensing processes. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The lifetime disqualification and mandatory recertification could impact due process for non-citizens.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this make trade with other countries easier? — Restricting driver eligibility could create friction in international trade logistics.
- 3/5/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- 3/4/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Vince FongRepublican · California
Jay ObernolteRepublican · California