Contact Congress about H.R. 2788: End DWI Act of 2025

People convicted of DWI would have to use a car with a breath-test starter device for at least 180 days under state laws this bill pushes states to adopt. States that do not comply would lose part of certain federal highway funds. The penalty starts in fiscal year 2027 and gets larger after that.

Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

End DWI Act of 2025 is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Latest action on H.R. 2788: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects people convicted of DWI, because they could face a required period of driving only cars with ignition interlock devices. It also directly affects states, which would need to pass and enforce the right kind of law or lose part of certain federal highway funds. State transportation agencies, courts, motor vehicle departments, and employers may also feel the effect, especially where states create exceptions for work vehicles or other special cases.

Why this matters: This bill matters because it could change what happens after a DWI conviction in every state and tie that change to federal highway money. It aims to make ignition interlocks a more common safety rule across the country. That could affect repeat drunk-driving cases, but the real results would depend on how each state writes exceptions, tracks violations, and enforces the law. It also puts states in a clear tradeoff between keeping full highway funding and keeping more freedom over their own DWI rules.

Key provisions in H.R. 2788

• States would have to make DWI offenders drive only vehicles with ignition interlock devices for at least 180 days if they want to avoid a federal funding penalty. An ignition interlock is a breath test device that keeps a car from starting if the driver has been drinking.
• States would also have to require a clean period with no violations before the driving limit and device can be removed. Each state gets to choose how long that clean period is.
• States can decide when that required interlock time is served. It can happen during an administrative license suspension, after conviction, or partly during both.
• Starting October 1, 2026, which is fiscal year 2027, states that do not comply would lose 3 percent of certain federal highway funds under 23 U.S.C. 104(b)(1) and (2).
• Starting October 1, 2027, and in later years, the penalty would rise to 5 percent of those same highway funds each year a state stays out of compliance.

How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 2788

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about H.R. 2788

What is H.R. 2788?

People convicted of DWI would have to use a car with a breath-test starter device for at least 180 days under state laws this bill pushes states to adopt. States that do not comply would lose part of certain federal highway funds. The penalty starts in fiscal year 2027 and gets larger after that.

How do I support or oppose H.R. 2788?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about H.R. 2788?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

Can Modern Action explain H.R. 2788 before I act?

Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.