Congressman calls for Commercial Driver’s License reform

MOOSIC, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Proposed legislation could reshape the road to becoming a commercial truck driver. State officials and industry leaders are discussing reforms to Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) requirements. 28/22 News Reporter Connor Coar was in Pittston with why people agree with the potential changes and why others are saying pump the brakes.

Republican Congressman Rob Bresnahan and officials from the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) and the Motor Truck Association (MTA) call it “common sense legislation.”

The call for reform comes nearly two weeks after State Trooper Michael Pahira was killed by a tractor-trailer driver who is an illegal immigrant.

“We have an obligation to make sure the people behind the wheel are properly qualified,” Congressman Bresnahan stated.

Congressman Bresnahan held a press conference calling for reforms for CDLs. The call for reform comes nearly two weeks after state trooper Michael Pahira was killed along Interstate 81 in Schuylkill County.

The person charged with killing Trooper Pahira is 33-year-old Michael Bon. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Bon is an illegal alien from Haiti who had a c-d-l, issued from Massachusetts.

Dalilah’s Law is proposed to make sure all commercial drivers understand English. It also requires states to verify they are not giving CDL’s to illegal aliens. The legislation passed out of committee in March.

“These men and women deserve to come home to their families at the end of the day, and as legislators, we think about what could we do to stop this from potentially happening again,” Congressman Bresnahan told 28/22 News.

“These drivers are driving across the entire country. So we need consistent safe standards across the states so that we can absolutely rely on the fact that when a CDL is issued, the driver is being held to the highest standard as possible,” Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association President & CEO Rebecca Oyler said.

For all who spoke, the incident involving Pahira and Bon nearly two weeks ago says it was entirely preventable. The trucking association also said safety is the north star of the trucking industry.

“Your circumstances and react to what’s going on around you and make decisions that are in the best interest of the traffic, the safety, and all the people out on the roads around you,” Oyler continued.

“Supporting Dalilah’s Law is about honoring victims by working to prevent future tragedies,” Calex Logistics COO Tommy Grimes said.

The next steps for the legislation are going to a House vote before moving over to the Senate for consideration. Congressman Bresnahan told the media on Monday he believes this is an airtight piece of legislation.