Legislation, Dubbed the ‘WEIGH Act,’ Aims to Codify and Enforce Trump’s Executive Order on Driver Proficiency and Licensing
Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) has introduced legislation aimed at increasing safety on American highways by cracking down on irregularities in commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) and enforcing English language proficiency requirements for truckers.
The bill, titled the “Weigh Station Enforcement to Intercept and Guard Highways (WEIGH) Act,” would empower the Department of Transportation (DOT) to utilize weigh stations nationwide to ensure compliance with a recent executive order issued by the White House.
H.R. 5177, the 20th piece of legislation introduced by Congressman Donalds during the 119th Congress, mandates that all weigh stations on interstate highways review CDLs for irregularities and verify a trucker’s English language proficiency. States that fail to comply with these enforcement protocols would risk the revocation of their CDL program authority and federal highway funding.
READ: Florida Rep. Byron Donalds Calls For Widespread Deportations Amid Georgia ICE Operation
The move follows President Trump’s April 28th Executive Order, “Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America’s Truck Drivers,” which directs the DOT to ensure drivers are properly qualified and proficient in English. The order, and now this legislation, is a response to what supporters describe as enforcement gaps that have allowed unqualified drivers to operate on U.S. roads.
“The failure of states to enforce basic and commonsense requirements for truckers is putting every American motorist at risk,” said Congressman Donalds.
“At the state level, Governor DeSantis and Commissioner Simpson have taken action to protect Floridians, but it’s imperative that we expand this effort nationwide. Safety must be the standard, not the exception, and on Capitol Hill I’m fighting to ensure that the American people are put first every step of the way.”
The push for the legislation is underscored by a recent fatal incident in Florida involving a trucker who reportedly failed an English proficiency test and a road sign test following a crash that resulted in multiple deaths. This incident, along with an ongoing criminal investigation in Jacksonville into a scheme to illegally obtain CDLs, is cited in the bill’s background as evidence of the need for stronger federal oversight.
READ: Florida Rep. Byron Donalds Camp Launches Veterans Coalition, Touting “America First” Support
Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture, Wilton Simpson, supports the federal initiative, highlighting his department’s efforts to enforce the new executive order. “If you drive a truck through our interdiction stations, you’re prepared for us to check your load for bugs and drugs. Because of President Trump, we now do so much more,” Simpson said. “If you can’t read our signs, you shouldn’t be on our roads. Ag law will find those who violate our laws and we will ensure that justice is served.”
The bill aims to close loopholes that have allowed drivers from “sanctuary states” to bypass federal standards.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
Donalds Proposes ‘WEIGH Act’ to Crack Down on Unsafe Trucking Practices
