Congressman Dan Meuser led a moment of silence on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday in memory of Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Michael E. Pahira Jr., who was killed while conducting a commercial vehicle inspection along Interstate 81 in Schuylkill County.
Pahira, a nearly 20-year veteran of the Pennsylvania State Police, was struck by a tractor-trailer on July 1 while working along Interstate 81 in Cass Township.
During his remarks, Meuser reflected on the respect Pahira earned throughout the communities he served and the large turnout for his funeral at North Schuylkill Junior-Senior High School last week.
“For nearly two decades, Trooper Pahira protected communities across Pennsylvania with courage and distinction, earning him the respect and admiration of everyone who knew him,” Meuser said.
Meuser said he attended the funeral alongside Pahira’s parents, Michael Sr. and Patricia; his sister, Jennifer; and thousands of community members, friends and law enforcement officers.
“The stories shared by those who knew him best painted the picture of a man of character, humility, and unwavering dedication,” Meuser said.
Pahira was born and raised within Pennsylvania’s 9th Congressional District. He graduated from North Schuylkill High School and served at several Pennsylvania State Police stations during his career, most recently with Troop L’s Frackville Station.
Michael Bon, 33, of Brockton, Massachusetts, was charged following the fatal crash. Federal officials have identified Bon as a Haitian national who entered the United States through immigration parole in July 2024. According to information released by federal officials and Meuser’s office, Bon applied for Temporary Protected Status, but that application was not approved. His parole was later terminated in June 2025.
Bon had been issued a non-domiciled commercial driver’s license by Massachusetts in March 2025, according to Meuser’s office. The license was reportedly renewed in February 2026.
Meuser used his remarks to call for congressional action on commercial driver’s license requirements, including immigration-status verification and English proficiency standards.
“Trooper Pahira’s death was senseless and preventable,” Meuser said. “It is beyond time to pass Dalilah’s Law and prevent senseless tragedies like this from happening again.”
Dalilah’s Law is named for 5-year-old Dalilah Coleman, who was severely injured in a 2024 crash involving a tractor-trailer. According to Meuser, the legislation would limit commercial driver’s licenses to U.S. citizens and nationals, lawful permanent residents and certain temporary work visa holders.
The proposal would also establish English proficiency requirements and direct states to review the immigration status and qualifications of existing commercial driver’s license holders.
Meuser was joined for the moment of silence by a bipartisan group of Pennsylvania lawmakers, including Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Mary Gay Scanlon, Chrissy Houlahan, Ryan Mackenzie, Rob Bresnahan, Scott Perry, Lloyd Smucker, Glenn “GT” Thompson, Mike Kelly and Christopher Deluzio. Minnesota Congressman Pete Stauber also participated.
For nearly two decades, Pennsylvania State Trooper Michael Pahira protected communities across Pennsylvania with courage and distinction, earning him the respect and admiration of everyone who knew him.
— Congressman Dan Meuser (@RepMeuser) July 14, 2026
Today, alongside members of the Pennsylvania delegation, I led the House in… pic.twitter.com/2wDYYFA2eJ