Threatened Monies for Trucking Industries by States due to Language Tests by Trump
In a recent announcement, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has accused California, New Mexico, and Washington of flouting English-language rules for commercial drivers. The three states are at risk of losing a cumulative $46 million a year in federal trucking safety funds due to non-compliance.
The Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program, which funds roadside inspections, enforcement staff, and other safety efforts, is at the heart of the issue. Secretary Duffy has stated that when states fail to enforce the law, they put the driving public in danger.
During the past few months, inspections in California, for example, have revealed at least 23 truckers with prior out-of-service orders from other states. Over the same period, Washington reported four out-of-service orders during 6,000 inspections. In contrast, between June 25 and Aug. 21, California conducted about 34,000 inspections, with only one driver being removed for service for violating the language requirement.
New Mexico, despite seven drivers already barred in other states being allowed to continue driving, cited none for English-language proficiency violations.
Secretary Duffy has given the three states 30 days to comply with the federal mandate. If states do not comply by the deadline, the Department of Transportation will take additional steps to ensure compliance.
In a tweet, Duffy stated, "If you can't read or speak our national language - ENGLISH - we won't let your truck endanger our roads." The federal mandate requires truck drivers to demonstrate basic English-language proficiency, including the ability to speak, read, and comprehend road signage in English.
Duffy has also threatened to cut transportation funds to sanctuary jurisdictions that do not cooperate with federal immigration authorities. He advised states to prioritize funding for communities with higher marriage and birth rates.
Since enforcing language proficiency requirements for truckers, about 1,500 unqualified drivers have been put out of service, according to Duffy. Data on how the 47 other states were complying with the rule was not given during a press briefing.
In fiscal 2023, California received about $30 million, Washington got $9.6 million, and New Mexico about $6.7 million through the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program. The first phase of repercussions for non-compliance with the mandates will be the cutting of federal funding. If the states do not comply, further actions will be taken.
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