Posted on 01/11/2008 12:09:06 PM PST by 300magnum
WASHINGTON - Residents of at least 17 states are suddenly stuck in the middle of a brewing fight between the Bush administration and state governments over post-Sept. 11 security rules for driver's licenses — a dispute that in just a few months could leave millions of people unable to use their licenses to board planes or enter federal buildings.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Friday that if states want their licenses to remain valid for air travel after May 2008, those states must seek a waiver indicating they want more time to comply with the REAL ID Act's new rules.
So far, 17 states have passed legislation or resolutions objecting to the REAL ID provisions, many due to concerns it will cost them too much to comply. The 17, according to the ACLU, are: Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Washington state.
But Chertoff, as he unveiled final details of the REAL ID rules, said that where a particular state doesn't seek a waiver, its residents will have to use a passport or a newly created federal passport card if they want to avoid a vigorous secondary screening at airport security.
"The last thing I want to do is punish citizens of a state who would love to have a REAL ID license but can't get one," Chertoff said. "But in the end, the rule is the rule as passed by Congress."
Chertoff spoke as he revealed the details of the administration's plan to improve security for driver's licenses in all 50 states — an effort delayed due to opposition from states worried about the cost and civil libertarians upset about what they believe are invasions of privacy.
Under the rules announced Friday, Americans born after Dec. 1, 1964, will have to get more secure driver's licenses in the next six years.
Another short deadline with little chance of compliance combined with dire predictions of widespread upheaval. This “showdown” will last about as long as the passport-to-Canada requirement did.
Which states? Is there a list? I’d like to know if Washington state is one of them.
I just renewed my Missouri DL. I had to bring my passport, voter registration and proof of where I lived (utility bill with my name and address.)
Sorry, should have read the whole article.
Are you born after 1964?
In the article . . .The 17, according to the ACLU, are: Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Washington state.
Yay!
I have a passport, so if need be I can cart it with me. I wonder if that will be the standard of proof required at the voting booths? The Rats would hate that!
Some states have passed stricter versions.
Huh? So Abdul Mohammed will just have to make sure his crayon on an index card driver's license forgery has a date before 1965 and he'll be passed through to the airplane?
The more I read about it, the less seriously I take Chertoff and the Dept of Homeland Security. Break it up and return its parts to their original departments.
No. Much earlier.
Yay for Idaho
WTF is a “passport card”? This is the first I’ve heard of this document. How will this be used? Does it just document that you have a PP? Can it be used for travel?
silly liberals, if they sign on to the REALID , well we would just *HAVE* to give licenses to Illegals./sarcasm
Ha, renewed mine via internet, got it two weeks before my old one expired. CA, unfortunately it also allowed me to sign up for lifetime absentee ballot.
I renewed my driver's license via postal mail multiple times between 1973 and 2001 when my street address was stable.
I'm 60 in Feb.
State of MO sent me a card under the “Shoe Me Proof” regulation. www.dor.mo.gov, then click on Show Me Proof.
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