🎣 Connor's Law

Happy Monday. Trump’s English Proficiency rule is gaining momentum. On May 29, Congress introduced Connor’s Law to cement it into law amid ongoing debate over safety and enforcement. We're covering these developments and more in today's feature.

Plus:

• 💰 Trucker Indicted for Fraud

• ⚒ Trump Doubles Steel Tariffs

• 🛑 DOT Workforce Cuts Paused

• ... and more.

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🍳 WHAT’S COOKIN’ IN FREIGHT

💰 Trucking Company Owner Indicted for Treasury Check Fraud. Rashu D. Powell, owner of Pennsylvania-based R&D 2020 Trucking LLC, has been indicted for allegedly depositing a counterfeit U.S. Treasury check worth $421,502.10 into his company’s account in July 2024. He faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted. The U.S. Secret Service and local police are investigating.Meanwhile, Gurjeet Bath, owner of G.S. Bath Inc. and Complete Transportation Solutions, pleaded guilty to stealing $1M in PPP loans, falsifying records and spending $600K on farmland in Fresno County.

⚒ Trump Doubles Steel Tariffs, Backs Nippon’s U.S. Steel Deal. At a rally in Pittsburgh, President Trump announced a tariff increase on steel imports from 25% to 50%, aimed at strengthening the domestic steel industry, effective June 4. Trump said the higher tariff would serve as a stronger barrier to foreign competition. The announcement came as he voiced support for Nippon Steel’s proposed $14.9 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel, a deal he had previously opposed. Trump pledged the company would remain U.S.-controlled and promised workers a $5,000 bonus, while also noting Nippon’s planned $2.2 billion investment in the Pennsylvania plant. Canadian Steel Producers Association called the tariff increase “catastrophic”, whereas the European Commission said the moved “undermines ongoing efforts” to reach appropriate trade conditions.

🛑 DOT Halts Workforce Cuts Amid Legal Challenges. The Department of Transportation has paused its planned workforce reductions following court-ordered injunctions tied to litigation over the Trump administration’s federal downsizing initiative. Secretary Sean Duffy had previously said layoffs would begin in late May. Legal action from unions and municipalities prompted a federal judge to block the cuts, pending further review. Thousands of DOT employees have already accepted voluntary buyouts, leading to key resignations at the FAA, including senior air traffic and commercial space officials.

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English Proficiency Rule Gains Congressional Backing

President Trump's April 28 executive order mandates strict enforcement of the English language requirement for all U.S. CDL holders, a rule that hasn't been enforced this aggressively in nearly a decade.

Starting June 25, drivers unable to demonstrate English proficiency during inspections will be placed out-of-service.

FMCSA's Two-Step Assessment

On May 20, the FMCSA released guidance outlining a two-step English proficiency assessment:

1. Driver Interview: Inspectors will conduct interviews in English to evaluate the driver's ability to respond to inquiries and directions. No interpreters, cue cards, or apps are allowed. Failure results in an immediate out-of-service order.

2. Traffic Sign Assessment: Drivers who pass Step 1 must demonstrate understanding of U.S. highway signs, including dynamic message boards.

Congress Introduces Connor's Law

On May 29, Congressman Dave Taylor and Representative Harriet Hageman introduced Connor's Law, aiming to codify the executive order into federal law. Named after 18-year-old Connor Dzion, who was killed in 2017 by a trucker unable to read English warning signs of an accident ahead, the bill seeks to:

• Make English proficiency a legal requirement for CDL issuance.

• Mandate out-of-service orders for drivers violating this requirement.

Industry Impact

• Driver Workforce: Approximately 10% of U.S. truck drivers may not meet the English proficiency requirement, potentially sidelining up to 300,000 drivers.

• Broker and Shipper Policies: Companies are revising contracts to include English proficiency clauses, with some imposing fines or refusing payment if non-proficient drivers are dispatched.

• Legal and Insurance Concerns: Out-of-service violations could adversely impact carriers' CSA scores, affecting insurance premiums and operational viability.

Industry Voices

• Karl Fillhouer, VP of Sales and Operations at Circle Logistics: "More and more, not just brokers, but even customers are insisting on English-speaking people because of what safety problems are created with a lack of communication."

• Todd Spencer, President of OOIDA: "Truckers must be able to read road signs, communicate with law enforcement and respond in emergencies. When that doesn’t happen, people get hurt—or worse."

• Matthew Leffler, logistics attorney and industry commentator: “The rule exists. The question is whether enforcement will be consistent.”

• Karl Fillhouer (expanded): “There needs to be a nurturing period. It can't just be black and white. We need to make sure drivers are properly trained and supported while adapting to this enforcement.”

What's Next

As enforcement begins, the industry braces for potential disruptions. Stakeholders are urged to:

• Assess driver language proficiency.

• Provide ESL training where necessary.

• Review and update contracts to reflect new compliance requirements.

Stay informed and prepared as these regulatory changes take effect.

Sources: FreightWaves | TheTrucker | FMCSA | Land Line | Reddit r/Truckers | House.gov

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🌎 AROUND THE FREIGHT WEB

🐝 Bee Truck Overturns in Washington. A truck carrying 250 million bees (about 32 tons of hives) overturned in Washington State, temporarily closing the road and drawing swarms to the area.

🇩🇪 Volkswagen's U.S. Investment. Volkswagen is proposing new U.S. investments to avoid steep tariffs under the Trump administration’s trade stance. VW CEO Oliver Blume expects the new Scout Motors plant in South Carolina to play a role on how tariffs will impact the company.

📦 DHL Partners with Shopify. DHL has signed a partnership with Shopify, giving merchants using the platform easier access to international shipping and fulfillment through DHL’s global network. By 2026 DHL shipping via Shopify will be available in the Americas, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

🚂 BNSF Preps for Surge. BNSF Railway reports it has 100 locomotives, or as BNSF calls them ‘surge fleets’ standing by to handle a potential container surge, anticipating increased demand from shifting supply chains and seasonal volumes.

🚛 Truck-Smuggled Drones. Footage appears to show Ukraine operatives used trucks to secretly transport wooden sheds packed with explosive drones into Russian territory. Dubbed ‘Spider’s Web’, the covert strike hit four airbases, damaging 41 warplanes.

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