Red Light Act
Withholds federal highway funds from states that issue licenses or identification cards to people unlawfully present in the United States.
In the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee since Sept. 16, 2026, 19 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROSEP 16, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- SENATESENATE—
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
States set rules for driver's licenses and identification cards, while federal law distributes highway funds to states. The Red Light Act would withhold specified highway funds from states that allow licenses or other identification cards for people unlawfully present in the United States. Funds could be returned if a state changes its policy in time, or redistributed to states that comply.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Withholds highway funds from noncompliant states
Beginning October 1, 2026, the Secretary would withhold 100 percent of the amounts otherwise apportioned to a noncompliant State under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of section 104(b) of title 23. A state is noncompliant if it has a law or policy allowing it to issue driver's licenses or other identification cards to people unlawfully present in the United States.
- Returns funds if a state changes its policy
If the Secretary determines before the last day of the fiscal year that a state is no longer noncompliant, the Secretary would apportion to it the withheld funds that remain available. The funds would be released on the day the Secretary makes that determination.
- Redistributes funds that remain withheld
On the first October 1 after the fiscal year, funds not released to a noncompliant state would be redistributed among states that are not noncompliant. Each recipient's share would be proportional to its apportionments under the same three paragraphs of section 104(b).
- Restarts withholding after renewed noncompliance
If a state receives released funds and later becomes noncompliant again, the Secretary would withhold the funds described in the bill for the fiscal year beginning after the state becomes noncompliant and for each fiscal year afterward.
The bill links a state's policy on issuing driver's licenses and identification cards to its access to federal highway funding. The practical stakes are the affected state's highway funds and the amounts that could be redistributed to other states.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedSEP 16, 2026SENATESEP 16, 2026By Sen. Husted with 1 original cosponsorReferred to Environment and Public Works
- SAME DAYNOWSenate committeeSEP 16, 2026ENVIRONMENT & PUBLIC WORKS NOWSEP 16, 2026In committee for 19 daysNo hearing yet
- 19 DAYS SO FARPassed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- House committee—HOUSE—
- Passed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- SEP 162026SEP 16, 2026REFERREDRead twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- SEP 162026SEP 16, 2026INTRODUCEDSENATEIntroduced in Senate
At day 19, this bill is already older than 6% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
Support from one state
Plus the sponsor, a Republican. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Plus the sponsor, a Republican. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Sen. Husted’s record: sponsored 57 bills this Congress. 2 passed the Senate; 0 became law.
- Bernie MorenoR-OHORIGINAL
Coverage at a glance
Outlets that covered this bill, by their lean.
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