The REAL ID Act of 2005 (REAL ID), which imposes certain security standards for the issuance of state drivers licenses and identification, calls for compliance requirements that are not realistic and must be reformed, says Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano.
As of yesterday, thirteen states have chosen not to comply with the standards of REAL ID because of budget costs and privacy concerns.
Almost every witness who testified at a hearing Wednesday morning suggested that passing the Providing for Additional Security in States Identification Act of 2009 (PASS ID) would be the best way to solve the problems of REAL ID.
“This is an important piece of national security legislation that is designed to help fill the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the federal government set security standards for driver’s licenses,” Napolitano said about the PASS ID.
Just like the REAL ID Act, PASS ID would shift the authority of the states over identification to the federal level. PASS ID would allow for a more cost effective, secure plan towards creating a federal identification system for Americans.
“Privacy is a key driver in states that said ‘no’,” said David Quam, Director of Federal Relations for the National Governors Association.
Inadequate funding seems to be the largest problem with REAL ID. PASS ID would eliminate the development of costly data systems included in the REAL ID program that do not increase security. Instead, states would use existing database systems to verify social security numbers and immigration statuses of anyone whose identity is in question.
“The objectives of REAL ID are laudable but the law represents an unworkable and unfunded mandate that fails to make us more secure,” said Governor Jim Douglas (R-VT).
Douglas also testified that states are having trouble complying with all of the requirements of REAL ID due to the recession.
The REAL ID Act was originally created to counteract terrorists that try to obtain fraudulent identification, just as like the terrorists of September 11, 2001.
Napolitano And Others Pass On REAL ID
The REAL ID Act of 2005 (REAL ID), which imposes certain security standards for the issuance of state drivers licenses and identification, calls for compliance requirements that are not realistic and must be reformed, says Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano.
As of yesterday, thirteen states have chosen not to comply with the standards of REAL ID because of budget costs and privacy concerns.
Almost every witness who testified at a hearing Wednesday morning suggested that passing the Providing for Additional Security in States Identification Act of 2009 (PASS ID) would be the best way to solve the problems of REAL ID.
“This is an important piece of national security legislation that is designed to help fill the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the federal government set security standards for driver’s licenses,” Napolitano said about the PASS ID.
Just like the REAL ID Act, PASS ID would shift the authority of the states over identification to the federal level. PASS ID would allow for a more cost effective, secure plan towards creating a federal identification system for Americans.
“Privacy is a key driver in states that said ‘no’,” said David Quam, Director of Federal Relations for the National Governors Association.
Inadequate funding seems to be the largest problem with REAL ID. PASS ID would eliminate the development of costly data systems included in the REAL ID program that do not increase security. Instead, states would use existing database systems to verify social security numbers and immigration statuses of anyone whose identity is in question.
“The objectives of REAL ID are laudable but the law represents an unworkable and unfunded mandate that fails to make us more secure,” said Governor Jim Douglas (R-VT).
Douglas also testified that states are having trouble complying with all of the requirements of REAL ID due to the recession.
The REAL ID Act was originally created to counteract terrorists that try to obtain fraudulent identification, just as like the terrorists of September 11, 2001.