Press Releases

Washington, DC – House Republican Leaders today offered their strong support for Dalilah’s Law, a measure being led by Highways and Transit Subcommittee Chairman David Rouzer (R-NC) to strengthen Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) requirements in the United States, ensure commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers are properly trained and meet safety standards, require CMV drivers to be able to read and understand the English language, and prevent unqualified and illegal immigrants that could pose a significant safety hazard from obtaining a CDL through lax enforcement by states.

The legislative text of Dalilah’s Law was unveiled yesterday, and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) will lead a full committee markup of the bill at 10:00 a.m. ET tomorrow, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in 2167 Rayburn House Office Building. A link to the live webcast of Wednesday’s markup will be available here.

Statements of support for Dalilah’s Law from House Republican Leaders:

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA):

“Under no circumstances should illegal aliens – especially those who cannot read or speak English – be issued licenses to operate 18-wheelers or large commercial vehicles. Because of Democrats’ border catastrophe, countless American lives have been lost and many more have been threatened at the hands of criminal illegal aliens. Accidents like the one that nearly took Dalilah Coleman’s life should never have happened, and under Dalilah’s Law, House Republicans are working to ensure no other American citizen is harmed by illegal alien truck drivers. I’m grateful to Chairman Graves, Chairman Rouzer, and the entire Committee for moving swiftly to mark up this important legislation.”

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA):

“The illegal alien who hit Dalilah Coleman and her family while operating an 18-wheeler – leaving them with severe, life-changing injuries – should have never been allowed to drive a semi-truck and put American lives at risk. Dalilah’s Law is common sense: if you are in this country illegally or you cannot understand English and read America’s road signs, you should not have a commercial driver’s license. I’m pleased to see this legislation move through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and look forward to bringing it to the House Floor soon. House Republicans are answering President Trump’s call to action and enhancing public safety by ensuring the only people driving on America’s roads are those qualified to.”

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN):

“Illegal aliens and radical Democrats in sanctuary states like Minnesota are abusing the CDL system, and innocent Americans have paid the price with their lives. Thanks to the leadership of President Trump, Chairman Graves, and Congressman Rouzer, Dalilah’s Law will keep our roads safe by ensuring CDLs are for U.S. citizens and qualified operators only.” - House Majority Tom Emmer 

Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-MI):

“Five-year-old Dalilah Coleman’s life changed because an illegal got behind the wheel of a semi-truck and struck her family’s vehicle. It should have never happened, and if Dalilah’s Law is signed into law, it never will again. American families deserve safe roads, something House Republicans are fighting to deliver despite widespread and disgusting Democrat opposition.”

Dalilah’s Law improves safety and CDL policies by:

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

Read the bill text of Dalilah’s Law here.