DOT withholds federal funds from California for failing to comply with English requirement for truckers
The Trump administration requires states to comply with federal law requiring commercial drivers to be proficient in the language.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) announced it will withhold $40.7 million in federal highway safety funds in California, arguing that the state is out of compliance with federal law requiring English-language proficiency for drivers of commercial vehicles.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that the decision is a response to the state government's failure to comply with national safety standards.
"I put states on notice this summer: enforce the Trump administration's English language requirements or the checks stop coming," Duffy warned in an official statement. He further noted that the onus is on Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom: "Gov. Newsom's insistence on obstructing federal law has tied my hands."
Duffy added that California is the only jurisdiction in contempt:
"California is the only state in the nation that refuses to ensure big rig drivers can read our road signs and communicate with law enforcement."
English requirement is backed by executive order
In May, Duffy issued an instruction to align Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) policy with the presidential order. The resources withheld belong to the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP), which funds roadside inspections, trucking company audits and state compliance programs.
Policy dispute
Tensions escalated in August, when Duffy warned California, Washington and New Mexico that they would face sanctions if they did not submit corrective plans within 30 days to conform to federal law.
At the conclusion of the deadline on Sept. 25, Alicia Fowler, legal counsel for the California Transportation Agency, sent a letter to the DOT defending the state's position. In the document, Fowler argued that all testing for a commercial license in California is conducted in English and assured that the state checks for language comprehension before issuing licenses.
The DOT is keeping the funds frozen while it evaluates California's response. The political and legal clash between the two administrations remains open.
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