Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso announced on Apr. 16 the introduction of the No Licenses for Illegal Drivers or Truckers Act, a bill that would require states to verify legal status before issuing any type of driver’s license or government identification. States that do not comply would lose 10 percent of their federal transportation funding, with those funds redirected to states following the law.
The proposed legislation aims to address concerns about road safety and election integrity related to undocumented immigrants obtaining state-issued licenses. Barrasso said, “I come to the floor to express the beliefs of so many Americans, and that is that illegal immigrants should never be given a driver’s license in the United States of America. It’s just common sense.”
Barrasso explained that his bill responds directly to a call from President Trump for Congress to ban states from issuing such licenses. He cited examples including California and Oregon, noting California could lose $580 million in highway funding if it continues current practices. “Astonishingly, there are nineteen states in this nation and the District of Columbia, who currently provide driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants,” Barrasso said.
He referenced incidents involving commercial drivers without proof of citizenship and discussed Wyoming’s approach: “In my home state of Wyoming…we do not issue driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants.” He described recent arrests in Laramie County where officers detained forty undocumented individuals driving commercial vehicles.
Barrasso also acknowledged support from Senators Cynthia Lummis and John Cornyn as cosponsors. “We need to stop states from issuing driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. We need to keep America safe,” he said.
According to the official website, Barrasso resides with his three children in Casper according to the official website. He chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s Public Lands, Forests and Mining Subcommittee according to the official website, operates offices across several Wyoming cities including Casper and Cheyenne according to the official website, supports energy affordability policies for ranchers according to the official website, has been recognized as Wyoming Physician of the Year according to the official website, focuses on issues like public lands and trade according to the official website, serves as Senate Republican whip, promotes energy policies supporting ranchers, and is an orthopedic surgeon honored by his peers according to the official website.
