“This is common-sense legislation that requires all truck drivers on our roads to be able to read and speak English,” says Sam Graves (R-Mo.). (Mariam Zuhaib/Associated Press)
March 18, 2026 5:16 PM, EDT
Key Takeaways:
- The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved Dalilah’s Law on March 18, advancing legislation to tighten CDL enforcement and English-language requirements.
- The bill would require states to verify driver eligibility, enforce English proficiency standards and increase penalties tied to fraud and cargo theft.
- Democrats opposed the measure, raising concerns about implementation and impacts on state licensing agencies.
House Republicans advanced legislation to toughen English-language requirements for commercial driver license holders, accelerating a priority highlighted by President Donald Trump during his State of the Union address.
On March 18, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved Dalilah’s Law, a bill that would tighten enforcement of federal CDL standards by requiring states to further verify both applicant eligibility and English proficiency. GOP lawmakers say the measure responds to safety concerns raised publicly by Trump and echoed by Republican committee members.
Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.) said the legislation aims to ensure only qualified drivers secure CDLs and that states apply federal rules consistently. “This is common-sense legislation that requires all truck drivers on our roads to be able to read and speak English, strengthens laws related to issuing CDLs and ensures that states are following and enforcing those laws and requirements,” he said.
“Unqualified and unvetted foreigners have no business getting behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound vehicle and killing innocent American families. President Trump was clear: pass Dalilah’s Law and safeguard American roads.”
Read @SecDuffy‘s statement:https://t.co/5E80WvCQiK
— T&I Committee Republicans (@TransportGOP) March 18, 2026
Lead sponsor Rep. David Rouzer (R-N.C.), a senior member of the panel, said the bill targets preventable crashes tied to drivers who should not be operating. Ensuring every driver is “qualified and legally operating will protect the public from these tragic, yet preventable accidents,” he said.
Democrats on the committee largely opposed the measure, questioning its scope, implementation and potential impacts on state licensing agencies.
Dalilah’s Law would require CDL holders to demonstrate the ability to understand English, roadway signage and instructions from law enforcement officers. Drivers who fail to meet those standards would be placed out of service.
The bill also would require states to confirm they are not issuing CDLs to individuals ineligible under federal law. Additional provisions would increase federal penalties, target freight fraud and cargo theft and crack down on fraudulent “CDL mills.”
Republican leaders indicated they intend to bring the bill to the House floor. The Trump administration also endorsed the proposal.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the measure reflects the administration’s focus on road safety and licensing integrity. “Rep. Rouzer’s bill, Dalilah’s Law, codifies a simple premise: no English, no license,” he said.
Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) introduced a similar version of the bill shortly after Trump’s annual address to Congress.
American Trucking Associations supports the legislation. ATA President Chris Spear said the measure would strengthen oversight by holding states accountable for CDL issuance and improving consistency in testing and qualification requirements across jurisdictions.
Strengthening the integrity of the CDL system isn’t optional. It’s essential.
The motoring public deserves confidence in who is operating heavy commercial vehicles. This legislation reinforces that trust by ensuring drivers are properly trained, tested, and qualified.
We thank… pic.twitter.com/JtfxRPHimY
— American Trucking (@TRUCKINGdotORG) March 17, 2026
“Strengthening the integrity of the commercial driver’s license system is essential to restoring accountability, removing bad actors from the road and protecting the overwhelming majority of professional truck drivers who follow the rules and uphold high standards,” Spear said in a statement ahead of the committee vote.
The bill is named for Dalilah Coleman, who was 5 years old when she suffered serious injuries from a multi-vehicle pileup caused by a tractor-trailer driven by a man federal officials said was in the country unlawfully. She was among the guests invited to Trump’s State of the Union this year.
During the Feb. 24 address, Trump urged Congress to bar individuals lacking legal status from obtaining CDLs: “Many, if not most, illegal aliens do not speak English and cannot read even the most basic road signs as to direction, speed, danger or location.”
