Real bill currently in Congress  c/o  HR/119/10123

STOP Improper Licensing Act

Policy area: Transportation and Public Works ▲ 15 days since action Sponsor: Harriet M. Hageman, WY-00, R → Congress.gov

Latest action (2026-08-20): Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

The Framers

“Founders’ Verdict”

CONSTITUTIONAL

Confidence 0.75

Synthesis

The bill is a constitutional exercise of Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce under the Commerce Clause, as it establishes uniform standards and auditing procedures for commercial driver's licenses that directly affect interstate travel and safety, and is supported by the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Hamilton YES

The proposed legislation falls squarely within the enumerated powers of Congress under the Commerce Clause. The regulation of commercial drivers engaged in interstate commerce is a necessary and proper means to ensure the safety and efficiency of the nation's highways, which are channels of interstate commerce. The audit requirement is a reasonable exercise of federal oversight to prevent state-issued licenses from undermining federal standards for interstate commercial driving. The Tenth Amendment reserves to the states the power to issue licenses, but Congress may condition the recognition o…

Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 Federalist No. 23
Jefferson NO

This bill arrogates to the federal government a power not delegated by the Constitution. The regulation of the issuance of commercial driver's licenses, particularly for non-domiciled individuals, remains a police power reserved to the several States under the Tenth Amendment. The federal government may not commandeer the States' administrative apparatus to conduct audits absent a clear grant of authority, which is not found in Article I, Section 8. The Commerce Clause permits regulation of interstate commerce, but it does not authorize the federal government to supervise the internal licensin…

Amendment X Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 (Commerce Clause)
Madison YES

The proposed legislation falls within the enumerated power of Congress to regulate commerce among the several states. Commercial driver's licenses, particularly those issued to non-domiciled individuals, bear a direct and substantial relation to interstate transportation and safety on the nation's highways. The requirement that the federal administrator audit state issuance procedures is a necessary and proper means to ensure uniformity and prevent fraud, thereby securing the orderly flow of interstate commerce. While the issuance of licenses is traditionally a state function, the federal gove…

Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 Federalist No. 45
Marshall YES

This bill is a constitutional exercise of Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce. The licensing of commercial drivers, particularly non-domiciled licenses, directly affects the flow of commerce among the several states. Under the Commerce Clause, Congress may establish uniform standards and audit state procedures to ensure the integrity of those licenses. The Necessary and Proper Clause authorizes Congress to enact laws that are appropriate and plainly adapted to the execution of its enumerated powers, including the oversight of federal programs. Auditing state issuance procedures is…

Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 (Commerce Clause) Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 (Necessary and Proper Clause) McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

What should pass

“AI Consensus Solution”

No solution yet

Daily synthesis runs at 06:00 UTC. This bill's consensus draft will appear on the next pass.

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