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

Briefing at a Glance

  • Under anDalilah's Lawamendmentproposed, English proficiency would become a requirement for obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL), while also preventing 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 the latest legislative text submitted by Committee Chairman Rep. David Rouzer, R-N.C.
  • "CDL standards exist for a reason: to ensure only those qualified to operate a truck are allowed on the road," Rouzer said in astatementon Monday.

Deep Dive

Calls for stricter regulations on CDL issuance have grown after President Donald Trump, in hisState of the Unionaddress on Feb. 24, urged Congress to address safety issues, including English proficiency.

In the days that followed, Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind.,introduced a billrequiring all CDL holders to complete recertification within six months of the law taking effect. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, also indicated onsocial mediahis intention to introduce similar legislation.

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

States would be required to verify that they are not issuing commercial driver's licenses to individuals residing illegally in the country, and states that do not comply would have federal funds withheld, according to a committee statement.

The amendment also aims to combat freight fraud and cargo theft by prohibiting "opaque foreign dispatch services and brokers," according to a press release. Additionally, the amendment targets "CDL mills," referring to institutions that improperly issue licenses quickly, to ensure drivers receive proper training.

The trucking industry has welcomed the revised Dalilah Act. The bill is named after Dalilah Coleman, who was injured in a 2024 traffic accident involving a tractor-trailer in California. According to the U.S.Department of Homeland Security, the truck driver involved was Partap Singh, an Indian national who 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 full enforcement of English proficiency standards for professional truck drivers."

Chris Spear, president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations (ATA), said in astatementstatement

that "Strengthening the integrity of commercial driver's licenses is essential to restoring accountability, removing bad actors from our roads, and protecting the vast majority of professional drivers who follow the rules and uphold high standards."