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 the legal status of anyone applying for a 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 that follow the proposed law.
The issue is significant as it addresses concerns about road safety and election integrity related to undocumented immigrants obtaining state-issued identification. 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 legislation responds directly to calls from former President Trump and aims not only at standard licenses but also commercial ones. He said, “The bill I’m introducing today – the No Licenses for Illegal Drivers or Truckers Act – it requires states to verify that every person who applies for a driver’s license – every single one – including certainly a commercial driver’s license – they need to prove that they are in this country legally.” He cited California as an example, noting potential penalties amounting to $580 million if current policies continue.
Barrasso highlighted what he described as risks associated with existing state laws: “Astonishingly, there are nineteen states in this nation and the District of Columbia, who currently provide driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. No proof of citizenship is needed.” He raised concerns about ‘motor-voter’ laws in Oregon leading to automatic voter registration upon issuance of a driver’s license.
He recounted incidents involving undocumented drivers and argued these cases demonstrate why stricter verification is necessary: “Delilah Coleman… was a five-year-old girl who nearly died in a car accident caused by an illegal immigrant truck driver… Just days after President Trump celebrated her remarkable… recovery… there was another deadly crash in Indiana this time. An illegal immigrant truck driver caused it.”
Barrasso also referenced Wyoming’s approach: “We do not issue driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants,” describing local enforcement efforts resulting in arrests and removals coordinated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The senator thanked colleagues Cynthia Lummis and John Cornyn for cosponsoring his legislation.
According to the official website, Barrasso resides with his three children in Casper and operates offices across several Wyoming cities including Cheyenne, Riverton, Rock Springs, Sheridan as well as Washington D.C., serving constituents throughout Wyoming. He chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s Public Lands Subcommittee and focuses on issues such as energy affordability, public lands management, national parks access, trade policy support for ranchers, and economic priorities important for Wyoming residents.
Recognized previously as Wyoming Physician of the Year due to his background as an orthopedic surgeon—he has served as president of the Wyoming Medical Society—Barrasso continues promoting energy policies supporting ranchers while serving on key Senate committees.
