Bresnahan Backs Crackdown on Illegal CDL Drivers as Dalilah’s Law Advances

WASHINGTON, DC: Today, U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08) voted in favor of H.R. 5688, Dalilah's Law, during a markup held by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The legislation, which passed out of committee by a vote of 35-26, would ensure all commercial driver's license (CDL) holders in the United States understand English and requires states to verify they are not issuing CDLs to illegal immigrants.

"Every week, we are seeing new instances of illegal immigrants ignoring our laws, injuring and killing innocent Americans on the road," said Rep. Bresnahan. "We cannot sit by and watch as these stories persist, and I refuse to let this happen in Northeastern Pennsylvania. With five major interstates running through our district, NEPA sits at the crossroads of our nation's supply chain, which means thousands of trucks are on our roads every day. At a minimum, truck drivers should be able to read road signs and follow our laws. This is about protecting our roads, our communities, and the hardworking truckers who play by the rules."

The legislation is named in honor of Dalilah Coleman, who was only five years old when she was struck by an illegal alien driving a semi-truck, resulting in permanent injuries. Dalilah and her family were present during the committee's markup. President Trump also called for the passage of Dalilah's Law at his State of the Union last month.

Specifically, Dalilah's Law:

• Ensures all CDL holders understand English, roads signs, and law enforcement officers;
• Places drivers who fail to meet the Law's requirements and safety standards out-of-service;
• Requires states to verify that they are not issuing CDLs to illegal immigrants;
• Significantly increases penalties for states failing to comply with the Law, by withholding of Federal funds;
• Bans shady foreign dispatch services and brokers, who have fueled a surge in freight fraud and cargo theft; and
• Cracks down on "CDL mills" to ensure drivers entering the industry are receiving adequate training.