WASHINGTON – Last week, Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) introduced legislation to codify and enforce President Trump's Executive Order requiring commonsense rules of the road for American truck drivers.

H.R. 5177 – "The Weigh Station Enforcement to Intercept and Guard Highways (WEIGH) Act" is the 20th piece of legislation proposed by Congressman Donalds during the 119th Congress and requires that all weigh stations along interstate highways review the Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs) of truckers for irregularities and verify the English language proficiency of truckers.

Specifically, "The WEIGH Act" empowers the Department of Transportation (DOT) to utilize weigh stations along interstate highways to enforce President Trump’s April 28th Executive Order entitled “Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America’s Truck Drivers." H.R. 5177 directs DOT to ensure states enforce English language proficiency requirements and review CDLs for irregularities during checks at weigh stations. States that fail to comply with weigh station enforcement protocols set by the Secretary of Transportation will risk revocation of their CDL program authority and federal highway dollars. Congressman Byron Donalds released the following statement: 

“The failure of states to enforce basic and commonsense requirements for truckers is putting every American motorist at risk. At the state level, Governor DeSantis and Commissioner Simpson have taken action to protect Floridians, but it’s imperative that we expand this effort nationwide. Under my ‘WEIGH Act,’ all weigh stations along interstate highways will be required to enforce President Trump’s Executive Order to review commercial driver licenses for irregularities and verify the English language proficiency of truckers. Safety must be the standard, not the exception, and on Capitol Hill I’m fighting to ensure that the American people are put first every step of the way. The elimination of these threats to the American people is non-negotiable.”

Watch Congressman Donalds join Greg Kelly Reports on Newsmax to discuss "The WEIGH Act" HERE.

After one week since introduction, here's what they're saying:

ABC 3 WEAR PENSACOLA: "Florida Representative Byron Donalds has introduced legislation following the deadly U-turn crash in Florida that happened in August. The Weigh Station Enforcement to Intercept and Guard Highways, its the WEIGH Act, was introduced as a direct response to that direct deadly crash. The new law would allow the Department of Transportation to review commercial drivers licenses for irregularities and verify English proficiency at weigh stations. The man responsible for the crash was an illegal immigrant from India who lacked understanding of English and road signs. Donalds said and I quote, 'The failure of states to enforce basic and commonsense requirements for truckers is putting every American motorist at risk. Safety must be the standard, not the exception.'"

ABC 25 WPBF WEST PALM BEACH: "A new bill was filed that could change rules for truck drivers on the road. The legislation would require all weigh stations review truck driver's license and verify that they're able to speak English. It was filed by Congressman Byron Donalds... It follows the deadly turnpike crash that killed three people last month in St. Lucie County."

CBS 12 WPEC WEST PALM BEACH: "Well new this morning, a new bill is aiming to comply with President Trump's executive order on English language requirements for truck drivers. This comes after an illegal immigrant driving a semi-truck allegedly caused a fatal crash after attempting to make a U-turn on the turnpike in St. Lucie County last month. The bill, filed by Congressman Byron Donalds, would require the U.S. Department of Transportation to make sure every state enforces parts of the executive order. That includes reviewing commercial drivers licenses for irregularities and verifying the English language proficiency of truckers at all weigh stations."

CCJ DIGITAL: "Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Florida) introduced a separate bill in the U.S. House that, if passed, would codify and enforce the ELP executive order by requiring that “all weigh stations along interstate highways review the Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs) of truckers for irregularities and verify the English language proficiency of truckers, a press release from Donalds’ office said."

CDL LIFE: "A Florida Congressman introduced new legislation to require that all weigh stations check Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) for irregularities and verify the English Language Proficiency (ELP) of truckers passing through the facilities. On September 9, 2025, Florida Rep. Byron Donalds announce the new bill H.R. 5177, also known as 'Weigh station Enforcement to Intercept and Guard Highways (WEIGH) Act.'"

COMMISSIONER WILTON SIMPSON: “The Florida Department of Agriculture is proud to be a force multiplier for President Trump's comprehensive border security effort. If you drive a truck through our interdiction stations, you're prepared for us to check your load for bugs and drugs. Because of President Trump, we now do so much more. Since he took office, we have helped take nearly 150 illegal immigrants off our streets - including murders and child predators. We'll also call if a driver cannot communicate in the English language. If you can't read our signs, you shouldn't be on our roads. Ag law will find those who violate our laws and we will ensure that justice is served.”

FLORIDA'S VOICE NEWS: "Florida Congressman Byron Donalds has introduced legislation to enforce English proficiency for truck drivers in the U.S. after an illegal alien was charged with three counts of vehicular homicide in Florida. The bill is a direct response to a crash on Aug. 12 in which a man identified as Harjinder Singh, an illegal alien from India, is accused of causing a deadly crash that killed three people."

FOX NEWS: "GOP Congressman Byron Donalds introduced legislation to enforce English proficiency for truck drivers in the U.S. as an illegal migrant faces three counts of vehicular homicide in the Sunshine State. Rep. Byron Donalds's new legislation, the Weigh station Enforcement to Intercept and Guard Highways (WEIGH) Act, would codify Trump’s executive order, and would allow the DOT to utilize weigh stations along federal highways to enforce English proficiency requirements."

FREIGHT WAVES: "The Weigh station Enforcement to Intercept and Guard Highways (WEIGH) Act, introduced on Monday by U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., requires that all weigh stations along interstate highways review the Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) of truckers “for irregularities” according to a press release, while also verifying the driver’s English language proficiency."

KATV ABC 7 LITTLE ROCK: "A Florida congressman introduced a bill Monday that would codify President Donald Trump’s executive order on English language requirements for truck drivers. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., filed in the House of Representatives H.R. 5177, which would require the secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation to make sure every state enforces parts of Executive Order 14286. The order outlines English proficiency requirements for commercial motor vehicle operators and directs the review of commercial driver's licenses."

NBC 40 WTWC TALLAHASSEE: "Time in Washington, lawmakers are pushing to advance legislation they say will keep American safe. This all comes after an illegal alien from India was charged with causing a deadly crash on a Florida Turnpike. Florida Congressman Byron Donalds introduced a bill that would codify Trump's executive order on the English language as a requirement for those commercial truck drivers. Donalds wrote, 'the failure of states to enforce basic and commonsense requirements for truckers in putting every American motorist at risk.'"

POLITICO PLAYBOOK FLORIDA: “[Rep. Byron Donalds] targets trucker’s English skills after illegal migrant charged in deadly Florida crash.”

SSAF LOGISTICS: "A new proposal in Congress is stirring debate in the trucking world. Representative Byron Donalds has introduced the WEIGH Act, a bill that would make every interstate weigh station double as an English language checkpoint for commercial drivers. Right now, weigh stations mainly focus on safety and weight compliance. Under the WEIGH Act, they’d also be used to enforce English Language Proficiency (ELP) rules. Truckers would need to demonstrate that they can read and speak English well enough to operate safely in the U.S. This move would essentially lock into law a Trump term policy that’s already being enforced through executive action. By passing the WEIGH Act, Congress would make it permanent, rather than leaving it up to whichever administration is in charge."

TAMPA FREE PRESS: "Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) has introduced legislation aimed at increasing safety on American highways by cracking down on irregularities in commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) and enforcing English language proficiency requirements for truckers. The bill, titled the 'Weigh Station Enforcement to Intercept and Guard Highways (WEIGH) Act,' would empower the Department of Transportation (DOT) to utilize weigh stations nationwide to ensure compliance with a recent executive order issued by the White House."

TEXAS INSIDER: "Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) has introduced legislation to codify and enforce President Trump's Executive Order requiring commonsense rules of the road for American truck drivers. H.R. 5177 – "The Weigh station Enforcement to Intercept and Guard Highways (WEIGH) Act" is the 20th piece of legislation proposed by Congressman Donalds during the 119th Congress and requires that all weigh stations along interstate highways review the Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs) of truckers for irregularities and verify the English language proficiency of truckers."

THE DEPORT REPORT: "Following an Aug. 12 Florida crash that killed three, federal authorities have escalated enforcement of English Language Proficiency (ELP) rules for commercial drivers: President Trump signed an executive order, DOT/FMCSA opened investigations and threatened to withhold federal highway funds from several states, and Rep. Byron Donalds introduced the WEIGH Act to authorize English checks at interstate weigh stations. The accused driver, Harjinder Singh, reportedly failed FMCSA English and sign-comprehension tests despite holding CDLs from multiple states. The coordinated actions signal a national enforcement push with legal, operational and labor-supply implications for states, carriers and immigrant drivers."

THE FLORIDIAN: "Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL) has introduced legislation strengthening the enforcement of English language proficiency requirements for truck drivers. Specifically, the Weigh Station Enforcement to Intercept and Guard Highways (WEIGH) Act requires all weigh stations along interstate highways to review the commercial drivers' licenses of truckers for irregularities and ensure they are proficient in English."

THE POPULIST TIMES: "Rep. Donalds’ proposed bill, called the Weigh station Enforcement to Intercept and Guard Highways (WEIGH) Act, seeks to codify Trump’s order into law. The measure would allow DOT officials to check English proficiency at weigh stations along federal highways and verify commercial driver’s licenses for compliance."

THE SUN US: "Drivers could be banned from US roads if they fail new English-language checks at weigh stations under a tough crackdown on truckers. The sweeping new plan was unveiled in Florida, where Congressman Byron Donalds introduced the 'Weigh station Enforcement to Intercept and Guard Highways (WEIGH) Act.'"

TRUCKERS NEWS: "Florida Republican Congressman Byron Donalds introduced legislation that would use truck weigh stations on interstate highways to enforce the regulation requiring all drivers to be proficient in the English language. H.R. 5177 – "The Weigh station Enforcement to Intercept and Guard Highways (WEIGH) Act" requires that personnel at all weigh stations along interstate highways review the Commercial Driver's Licenses of truckers for irregularities and verify the English language proficiency of truckers."

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