Sen. Barrasso Proposes Cutting Highway Funds for States Giving Licenses to Undocumented Immigrants
This bill was introduced in the Senate and is currently being reviewed by the Committee on Environment and Public Works. It is in the early stages of the lawmaking process and no further actions are scheduled at this time. The bill is considered active as it waits for the committee to decide on its next steps.
This bill faces strong opposition from the other party, which currently controls parts of Congress. It is unlikely to pass without significant bipartisan support or a change in political control.
Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
Undocumented immigrants would lose the ability to get driver's licenses or state IDs in the roughly 19 states that currently allow it. Without a license, daily activities like commuting to work, picking up kids from school, or buying insurance become much harder. This could push many people into driving without a license, increasing legal risk and limiting economic participation.
“A State shall be in compliance with this section if the State has in effect and is enforcing a law to require and subsequently verify evidence of lawful presence from each applicant for a driver's license, commercial driver's license, or personal identification card issued by the State.”
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1822-1823; text: CR S1823-1824)
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Sen. John Barrasso introduced the No Licenses for Illegal Drivers or Truckers Act (S.4317), which would require states to verify legal status before issuing any driver's license or ID. States failing to comply would face a 10% reduction in federal highway funding, redirected to compliant states.
The bill would mandate that states verify citizenship or legal residency before issuing licenses to motorists or commercial drivers. Non-compliant states would lose 10% of their federal highway funding. Co-sponsors include Senators John Cornyn and Cynthia Lummis.
The proposed Act focuses on state licensing procedures, requiring high-tech identity verification including fingerprints and photos against federal databases. The bill creates a penalty-and-reward system where withheld highway funds are given to states that meet the new requirements.
No votes or related bills recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
No Licenses for Illegal Drivers or Truckers Act of 2026
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