Red Light Act

# Red Light Act Summary **What the Bill Would Do** The Red Light Act would penalize states by cutting off federal highway funding if they issue driver's licenses or ID cards to people who are in the country illegally. Specifically, states would lose federal money for three highway programs: the National Highway Performance Program (which funds road maintenance and improvements), the Highway Safety Improvement Program (which funds safety projects), and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (which funds projects to reduce traffic and emissions). This penalty would begin in fiscal year 2023 and continue indefinitely. **Who It Affects** The bill primarily affects states that have chosen to issue driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants—currently including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia.

These states and their residents would see reduced federal transportation funding. The bill also indirectly affects undocumented immigrants in those states who currently have or could obtain driver's licenses under state law. **Current Status** The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress by Representative Claudia Tenney (R-NY) and remains in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives.