California sues Trump administration over terminated transportation grants

California sued the Trump administration late on Friday for withholding more than $33 million in federal funding after the U.S. Transportation Department said the state failed to comply with rules requiring English proficiency for truck drivers.



The state sued Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, the Transportation Department and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in U.S. District Court in northern California over the decision to terminate the grants for California's commercial vehicle safety programs announced in October.



California said it enforces English-language standards for commercial drivers that are compatible with federal requirements and said the decision was "arbitrary and capricious, an abuse of discretion, and contrary to law; imperils the safety of all persons driving in California; and threatens to wreak significant economic damage."



The Trump administration has taken a series of steps to address concerns about foreign truck drivers who do not speak English. In August, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States was immediately pausing the issuance of all worker visas for commercial truck drivers.



The Transportation Department and FMCSA did not immediately respond to requests for comment.