Sens. Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno, both Republicans from Ohio, are introducing the “Red Light Act” in the Senate as Congress considers how federal transportation funding should be used in states that issue driver’s licenses to illegal aliens.

The bill would withhold federal Department of Transportation funding from states that provide licenses to illegal aliens and redistribute those funds to states that do not issue licenses to people who are unlawfully present in the United States.

The legislation would apply to funding from three federal transportation programs: the National Highway Performance Program, the Highway Safety Improvement Program and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program.

Husted said Ohio does not issue what are commonly called “drive-only” licenses to illegal aliens and argued that other states should follow the same policy.

“Ohio does not issue these licenses, and other states should follow our lead,” Husted said. “Congress has a responsibility to protect its citizens: these twenty governments are putting American lives at risk by issuing ‘drive-only’ licenses and should not be rewarded with federal taxpayer dollars.”

Moreno also criticized states that provide the licenses, pointing to cases involving illegal aliens accused of crimes after obtaining permission to drive.

“How many more Ohio families have to bury their loved ones who were murdered by illegal immigrants who never should have been behind the wheel, before Democrats finally admit enough is enough?” Moreno said. “This epidemic has gone on too long. We refuse to let another ‘drive-only’ license be handed out to people who have no business being in our communities in the first place. Not one more.”

Husted and Moreno's proposal would make federal transportation dollars contingent on state driver’s license policies, creating a financial penalty for states that allow illegal aliens to obtain driving credentials and a potential funding benefit for states that do not.

The senators are expected to formally introduce the legislation in the Senate on Wednesday.