DOT News Updates

Under the latest plan, air traffic controller hiring and field training would also continue — a key difference from the March plan, which would have paused those activities. 

At least eight cabinet departments comprising more than two-thirds of the federal workforce had detailed their shutdown plans by the afternoon of Sept. 29.

“The process for issuing these licenses is absolutely 100% broken," Sean Duffy said. "It has become a threat to public safety and it is a national emergency that requires action right now.”

If the rule is finalized, DOT would amend its federal drug-testing program regulation (49 CFR Part 40) to include both substances. Public comments on the proposal are due Oct. 17.

American Trucking Associations is renewing its call for stricter enforcement of federal safety laws in the wake of a fatal truck-involved crash in August.

The crash sparked a clash between DHS and California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom over Harjinder Singh, a native of India, obtaining a work permit and driver’s license in the state.

An undocumented truck driver who obtained CDLs from two states was involved in a Florida crash that killed three people, prompting a federal investigation.

“It is critical that we make significant investments to modernize our air traffic control systems and improve our airports, roads, railways, bridges and ports," Sen. Susan Collins said.

Regulators never settled on a speed at which the limiters would be set. FMCSA and NHTSA had proposed and sought comment on a range of 60 to 68 mph.

Leaders of the GOP-led Senate insist they intend to advance as early as this month fiscal 2026 funding bills.