Update (March 18, 2026):The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted 35-26 on Wednesday to pass the amended legislative text. The bill is expected to be brought before the full House of Representatives for a vote in the coming weeks.

Quick Summary

  • Under the proposed amendments to Dalilah's Law,English proficiencywould become a requirement for obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL), and would prevent drivers from being taken out of service due to language issues.
  • The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will meet Wednesday at 10 a.m. to consider updated legislative text submitted by Committee Chairman Rep. David Rouzer, R-N.C.
  • Rouzer, in astatementon Monday, said: "CDL standards exist for a reason: to ensure that only those qualified to drive trucks are allowed on the road."

In-Depth Analysis

After President Donald Trump delivered hisState of the Union addresson February 24 urging Congress to address safety issues, including English proficiency, stricter rules on CDL issuance gained momentum.

In the following days, Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind.,introduced a billrequiring all commercial driver's license holders to recertify within six months of the law's enactment. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, also indicated in asocial media posthis intention to introduce related legislation.

Rouzer's Dalilah Act would amendH.R. 5688, aiming to improve safety and CDL policy by ensuring CDL holders understand English, road signs, and law enforcement, according to his statement. The bill also stipulates that drivers who fail to meet the legal requirements would be taken out of service.

According to a committee statement, states would be required to verify that they do not issue commercial driver's licenses to immigrants residing illegally, and states that do not comply would also have federal funds withheld.

The amendment also aims to combat freight fraud and cargo theft by prohibiting "suspicious foreign dispatch services and brokers," according to a press release. Additionally, the amendment targets CDL fraud operations, ensuring drivers receive proper training.

The trucking industry has welcomed the amended Dalilah's Law. The bill is named after Dalilah Coleman, who was injured in 2024 in a traffic accident in California involving a tractor-trailer. The truck driver involved, identified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as Partap Singh from India, was allegedly residing illegally and has been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Todd Spencer, president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), said in a letter to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee that the "legislation closes the loophole that allowed unqualified individuals to obtain commercial driver's licenses through 'non-resident' CDL programs, and ensures comprehensive enforcement of English proficiency standards for professional truck drivers."

Chris Spear, president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations (ATA), said ina statement: "Strengthening the integrity of commercial driver's licenses is essential to restoring accountability, removing bad actors from the road, and protecting the vast majority of professional drivers who follow the rules and uphold high standards."

Spear also said: "The driving public should have confidence in those behind the wheel of heavy commercial vehicles. This legislation reinforces that trust by ensuring drivers are properly trained, tested, and qualified."