DOT Revokes $74M in NY Highway Grants Over License Audit

0:00On April 60, the U.S. Department of Transportation just hit New York with a big move, revoking $74 million in highway grants. This stems from a clash with Governor Kathy Hocal over commercial driver's licenses issued to folks with expired work permits. Federal officials also warned that another $147 million in funding hangs in the balance if the state doesn't comply. Earlier this week, they sent a letter to New York's Department of Motor Vehicles laying it all out. It ties back to a federal audit that uncovered serious issues like more than half of the sample licenses breaking rules by letting expiration dates. Runway past legal work status for non-citizens, reactions of firing off from both sides. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called it, a promise kept to protect American families from unqualified drivers, slamming New York's policies as dangerous. Meanwhile, Hocal's team fires back, labeling the whole thing a politically motivated hit on blue states that actually follow federal guidelines.

1:02This audit flagged safety risks after high-profile crashes involving migrant drivers pushing the Trump administration to crack down nationwide on licenses outlasting legal status. They've already threatened other states too. Now this standoff could shake up New York's rover pairs, bridges, and transit projects, highlighting the growing tension between federal safety rules. State pushback on immigration enforcement, national news, powered by AI. This is US News Today.