Bills to Fix Failed Real ID Law Gain Steam in Congress

Congress is taking another look at the Real ID Act, which was passed in 2005 attached to a military appropriations and tsunami relief bill and never received an up-or-down vote on its merits.  Two bills have been introduced that would repeal title II - the driver's licensing provisions - of the REAL ID Act of 2005, and restore section 7212 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, which would have implemented the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission by creating a negotiated rule-making process that would provide states regulatory flexibility and funding authorization to produce tamper- and counterfeit-resistant driver’s licenses.  The bills also protect privacy and civil liberties by bringing privacy and security experts and stakeholders to the table and providing guidance to achieve improved 21st century licenses to improve national security.

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Both bills are titled "The Identification Security Enhancement Act of 2007."

The Senate Version, S. 717, is sponsored by Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and Sen. John Sununu (R-NH), and is cosponsored by Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Jon Tester (D-MT),  Max Baucus (D-MT), and Lamar Alexander (R-TN).

The House Version, H.R. 1117, is sponsored by Rep. Tom Allen (D-ME) and is cosponsored by 27 other lawmakers.

Call your Congressional representative today and ask him or her to sign on as a cosponsor to the Identification Security Enhancement Act, and fix Real ID once and for all!