Revoking Illegal Licenses Will Restore and Protect Vital Transportation Funding, Make Roadways Safer
From the Office of Congressman Nick Langworthy, WATCH today’s PRESS CONFERENCE
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Nick Langworthy today sent a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul demanding immediate action to bring New York into compliance with federal Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) requirements after the U.S. Department of Transportation withheld approximately $73 million in federal highway funding from the state.
The funding penalty follows a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration finding that New York was in “substantial noncompliance” with federal CDL laws after auditors found systemic failures in the state’s non-domiciled CDL program, including licenses issued to non-U.S. citizens that remained valid even after lawful work authorization had expired. A nationwide audit found that 53% of sampled licenses in New York were issued improperly.
Watch Congressman Langworthy’s zoom press conference on the issue earlier today
“Governor Hochul is putting $73 million of our federal funding and the safety of New Yorkers at risk all in the name of her radical sanctuary state agenda,” said Congressman Langworthy. “This is a very simple issue: are we following the law or are we breaking it? Commercial drivers operate 80,000-pound tractor trailers, often traveling lost distances and transporting hazardous materials, and stringent regulations exist for a reason. When over half of sampled licenses are issued illegally, that is a serious public safety failure.”
Congressman Langworthy warned that allowing CDLs to remain active after a driver’s legal status has expired creates dangerous gaps in oversight, making it harder to track, locate, and reverify drivers and raising serious questions about whether driving history, medical certification, and testing standards were properly reviewed in the first place.
He also emphasized the economic consequences for New York businesses that rely on commercial transportation.
“Governor Hochul’s noncompliance is creating tremendous liability exposure for businesses across this state,” Rep. Langworthy continued. “If there is an accident involving a driver who no longer has legal status in the country and is driving with an illegally issued CDL, businesses are being opened up to massive legal and financial risk. New Yorkers are being punished twice—losing federal funding we deserve and being forced to shoulder the consequences of Albany’s failure to follow the law.”
In his letter, Congressman Langworthy called on Governor Hochul to immediately:
- Fully comply with federal CDL requirements, including reviewing and revoking licenses issued without proper verification of lawful status.
- Implement safeguards to ensure ongoing verification and compliance with federal licensing requirements.
- Restore New York’s eligibility for federal transportation funding by bringing the state back into alignment with national safety regulations.
“The people of New York deserve the highest standard of safety on our roads,” Congressman Langworthy said. “This should not be partisan. It is about protecting lives, protecting businesses, and respecting the taxpayers who deserve better than a reckless political agenda that puts their tax dollars and safety at risk.”
