“I think the U.S. Senate has a responsibility to say where it stands on the issue of driver’s licenses for people who enter the country illegally,” Barrasso said.  “I’m disappointed that some would rather not debate it and are unwilling to vote on it."

Under the Barrasso bill, S. 2334, states must verify that each driver’s license applicant is in the U.S. legally. Noncompliant states would lose 10 percent of their federal transportation funds. The withheld funds would be redistributed to states that follow the law.

“Frankly this is just a small bite of the growing immigration and national security problem as a whole, but it makes sense to fix those things that can be done right now,” Barrasso added.  “In the absence of comprehensive legislation to secure our borders and homeland we can still fix glaring loopholes such as this.”

Wyoming does not issue driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. Furthermore, Wyoming could gain more highway dollars with the enactment of Barrasso’s bill.

Barrasso promised to continue pushing immigration legislation despite opponent roadblocks.