Summary of HR 4565: No DOT Funds for Sanctuary Cities Act

Purpose and Intent

The No DOT Funds for Sanctuary Cities Act (HR 4565) aims to prohibit the allocation of federal Department of Transportation (DOT) funds to cities or jurisdictions that are designated as "sanctuary cities." Sanctuary cities are those that have policies in place to limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts. This bill seeks to incentivize local governments to comply with federal immigration laws by withholding federal transportation funding.

Key Provisions

• Funding Restrictions: The bill stipulates that any city or jurisdiction that does not fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities will be ineligible to receive DOT funds. This includes grants and other financial assistance provided by the Department of Transportation.

• Definition of Sanctuary Cities: The bill does not provide a specific definition of "sanctuary city," leaving it to the discretion of federal authorities to determine which jurisdictions fall under this classification.

• Compliance Requirements: To qualify for DOT funding, cities must demonstrate compliance with federal immigration enforcement requests and policies.

Affected Parties

• Local Governments: Cities and jurisdictions that have adopted sanctuary policies will be directly impacted, as they may lose access to critical transportation funding.

• Transportation Projects: Various transportation projects that rely on federal funding could face delays or cancellations in sanctuary cities, potentially affecting infrastructure development and maintenance.

• Residents: Residents of affected cities may experience changes in transportation services and infrastructure investment due to the funding restrictions imposed by the bill.

Legislative Process and Timeline

• Introduced: The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on July 21, 2025.

• Committee Referral: Following its introduction, HR 4565 was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for further consideration.

Sponsors

The bill is primarily sponsored by Dusty Johnson, with several cosponsors including:
- Claudia Tenney
- Pat Harrigan
- Earl L. "Buddy" Carter
- Michael A. Rulli
- Jefferson Van Drew
- Derrick Van Orden
- Brian Babin

Conclusion

HR 4565 seeks to enforce federal immigration laws by restricting federal transportation funding to sanctuary cities. The bill's implications could significantly affect local governments, transportation projects, and the communities they serve, depending on its progress through the legislative process.