Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., stated that blue states issuing commercial driver’s licenses to truck drivers allegedly lacking legal immigration status or English proficiency shows Democrats “are just foolish for the safety of their own kids.”
During an interview on a national cable news program, Scott criticized California and Washington after the Supreme Court declined to hear Florida’s lawsuit challenging the states’ CDL policies.
“You just don’t get it. Like, who wants our roads to be dangerous?” Scott said.
“These Democrats that are doing this are just foolish for the safety of their own kids,” he added.
The lawsuit stemmed from a fatal California crash last year that killed three people and allegedly involved a truck driver who did not speak or read English but possessed a commercial driver’s license issued by California.
Florida argued the blue states endangered motorists nationwide by allowing allegedly unqualified drivers to operate across state lines.
Scott said the issue should be “common sense.”
“They want people on our roads that can’t even read English,” he said. “This is just so unsafe for our kids and our grandkids.”
On Tuesday, Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito dissented after the Supreme Court refused to hear Florida’s challenge.
Thomas argued the Constitution requires the high court to resolve disputes between states.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier accused California and Washington of violating federal law by issuing CDLs to drivers allegedly lacking legal status or English proficiency.
The states denied the allegations and argued federal law already bars unqualified drivers from obtaining interstate commercial licenses.
The dispute comes as the Trump administration ramps up scrutiny of trucking safety. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently announced a tougher federal registration system known as “Motus,” designed to crack down on fraudulent trucking companies and unsafe carriers.
“Dangerous foreign drivers and the shell companies who employ them have been taking advantage of this lax, decrepit federal registration system for years,” Duffy stated in announcing the reforms.
During the interview, Scott also expressed confidence Republicans will prevail in Florida’s ongoing redistricting fight ahead of the midterm elections.
“We have great candidates. We’re raising money. They’re campaigning hard. So we’re going to win,” Scott said.
Scott additionally warned Floridians to begin preparing for hurricane season, which officially starts June 1, urging residents to evacuate early when storms threaten.
“You can always rebuild that house, but you can’t rebuild your life,” he said.
