US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Thursday that the Department of Transportation is withholding more than $73 million in federal funding from New York.
The move follows the state’s refusal to revoke thousands of commercial driver’s licenses issued to foreign drivers that allegedly remained valid years beyond their work authorizations, according to a federal audit.
Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration has fired back, accusing it of being politically motivated. The spat is making waves on social media as people continue to discuss road safety and whether the state is complying with federal licensing regulations.
The announcement was made in a post on X by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy), which included a video clip of him appearing on The Will Cain Show.
In the clip, Secretary Duffy states that New York issued commercial driver’s licenses to foreign drivers that remained valid for years after their work authorizations had expired. He explains that the Department of Transportation is therefore withholding $73 million in federal funding from the state, adding, “American families deserve to be SAFE on the road.”
Duffy noted that he had previously sought cooperation from Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration, but the state rejected the offer to come into compliance.
Public Responses to Secretary Duffy’s Announcement
Some users praised the decision and called for accountability. One commenter wrote, “Thank you, Secretary Duffy. The only way to stop Governor Kathy Hochul’s corruption is to stop funding it.”
Another said, “Good, if I allowed this for unqualified drivers while I was in command during service, I would be removed from command… Hold NY accountable.”
Others expressed skepticism about the move. One reply stated, “They’ll just sue and win to continue the scam like they’ve been doing with every other crime this government is committing with their owners, friends, and families.”
A few suggested expanding the action, with one writing, “Thank you! Next pull funding from Mass because the idiots running the SS here don’t know how to fund roads and bridges.”
This moment stands out because it puts in the spotlight a long-running federal-state battle over driver licensing rules and highway safety, and has drawn both strong supporters of the funding cut and critics who say it is politically motivated.
The funding dispute between the U.S. Department of Transportation and New York State continues to generate discussion on X.
As the situation develops, it adds to the broader national debate over commercial driver licensing standards and federal-state relations on transportation safety.
