hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Prohibits Commercial Driver's Licenses for non-citizens/LPRs/certain work visa holders.
Mrs. Houchin (R, IN-8)
In committee, no House vote yet
This bill makes significant changes to who can hold a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) in the U.S. It requires all CDL holders to be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or specific work visa holders, and to be proficient in English. Current CDL holders would need to recertify within 180 days or risk losing their license, with states facing a total loss of federal transportation funding if they don't comply. The bill was introduced by Mrs. Houchin, a Republican from Indiana, and is currently awaiting review by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Introduced Mar 4, 2026
This bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives and assigned to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for review. Before it can move forward, the committee must consider the bill, possibly hold hearings, and vote to send it to the full House. If passed by the House, it would then go to the Senate, and eventually to the President to become law.
If this bill becomes law, individuals who currently hold Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs) but are not U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or holders of specific E-2, H-2A, or H-2B work visas would need to recertify within 180 days and prove eligible status and English proficiency, or have their licenses revoked. States that fail to enforce these new requirements, including revoking licenses or issuing new ones to ineligible individuals, would face the complete withholding of their federal transportation funding. Additionally, all new CDL tests and recertifications would require applicants to pass tests in English and demonstrate English language proficiency.
Supporters Say
Proponents argue this bill enhances national security and public safety by ensuring only authorized individuals operate commercial vehicles.
Critics Say
Opponents might argue the bill could worsen supply chain issues and create labor shortages in the trucking industry.
Supporters of this bill would likely emphasize the importance of ensuring that individuals operating large commercial vehicles on U.S. roads have a clear legal status and can communicate effectively in English for safety reasons. Critics, however, might raise concerns about the economic impact of removing potentially thousands of experienced drivers from the workforce, which could exacerbate existing supply chain problems and harm businesses reliant on commercial transport.