Yielding to a rebellion by states that refused to pay for it, the Obama administration is moving to scale back a federal law passed after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that was designed to tighten security requirements for driver’s licenses, Homeland Security Department and congressional officials said.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano wants to repeal and replace the controversial, $4 billion domestic security initiative known as Real ID, which calls for placing more secure licenses in the hands of 245 million Americans by 2017. The new proposal, called Pass ID, would be cheaper, less rigorous and partly funded by federal grants, according to draft legislation that Napolitano’s Senate allies plan to introduce as early as tomorrow.
The rebranding effort follows months of talks with the National Governors Association and poses political risk for Obama as well as Napolitano, a former NGA chairwoman who wants to soothe strained relations with the states without appearing to retreat on a recommendation by the 9/11 Commission.
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Commissioners called for federal standards for driver’s licenses and birth certificates, noting, “For terrorists, travel documents are as important as weapons.” Eighteen of 19 terrorist hijackers obtained state IDs, some of them fraudulently, easing their movements inside the country.
But the Bush administration struggled to implement the 2005 law, delaying the program repeatedly as states called it an unfunded mandate and privacy advocates warned it would create a de facto national ID.
As governor of Arizona, Napolitano called Real ID “feel-good” legislation not worth the cost, and she signed a state law last year opting out of the plan. As secretary, she said a substitute would “accomplish some of the same goals.”
June 15th, 2009 at 11:55 am
The govt. claims it’s just to protect us. If they were doing their job we wouldn’t need anything like this. There is no magic bullet like they want. All their technology won’t work against negligent lazy govt. employees.
reconmarine Reply:
June 16th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Up until June 1st, all you needed to enter the US on foot or in a car was a drivers license.
Since liberal states refuse to ask people for proof of citizenship when they issue them drivers licenses, ANYONE can enter the US with one. I know millions of Mexicans hop our fences every year but that doesn’t mean we should be lenient in other areas. In fact, once they jump the fence, they go get a license, then they can come and go, allot of the time with dope, as they please.
But, yeah, we should ban a formal ID card that distinguishes us between those that jump our fences and feed poison to our kids.
reconmarine Reply:
June 16th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
http://vids.myspace.com/index......id=1619489
June 15th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
This is unconstitutional.
There is nothing in the Constitution about ID’s required for everyone, or any class of people.
Bill Reply:
June 15th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Soon you will hear, “the constitution isn’t really something we were to FOLLOW….
AlteredState Reply:
June 16th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
You can sign a petition against this RFID and the TWIC act. Just go to downsize DC.or and register as I did and you will find many of these ludicrous resolutions and bills to petition against. Remember it’s WE the PEOPLE that can make change happen. Tell your friends and family members to do the same and encourage their friends throughout our great nation and get involved.
June 15th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Janet Napolitano can go stuff herself. I refuse and will do my best to make sure Washington state refuses as well. This woman is smoking crack if she thinks we are ALL sheeple.
June 15th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Oh no, they are scaling back the national ID card (tracking scam). And I was so ready for that important digital picture too. I just had my ASS WAXED for that all important photo. Because that’s what I would have shoved in front of the camera for their pic.
June 15th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
If you would really have used your waxed ass for a digital photo for the ID card, and then government used the facial recognition system, police would have you mixed up with Opera Winfrey. Ha ha.
June 16th, 2009 at 1:58 am
More or less it is the same bs. I will not be participating. Obaaaaahhhhhma can kiss my ass as well as this dumb cow who is reorganizing the Real ID.
June 17th, 2009 at 1:12 am
Whew what a relief
It’s ok sheeple…
They’re calling it ‘PASS ID’ now so it’s cool.
How bout the real details Washington Post?