Congressional Leaders Express Dissatisfaction With Real ID

Congressional leaders from throughout the nation released statements expressing their dissatisfaction with the Real ID regulations released today by the Department of Homeland Security.

Rep. Tom Allen (D-ME)

"We need to repeal REAL ID and replace it with a system that will work and does not pass the cost along to taxpayers."

Read statement here.

Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester (Ds – MT)"Enough is Enough with Real ID Boondoggle"

"We need to be serious about fighting terrorism and keeping this country safe, but we don't need to do it by jeopardizing American's privacy and creating another bureaucracy, Baucus said. This reaffirms that Real ID needs to be repealed. It's time we look at realistic ways to defend our homeland that don't include shifting unfunded mandates onto Montana. Real ID is a really bad idea."

Read statement here.

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT)

"The Bush administration's Real ID program will not only lead to long lines at every DMV across the country, it will impose a massive unfunded mandate on state governments while offering absolutely no federal privacy protections to our citizens."

Read statement here.

Sens. Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and John Sununu (R-NH)

"Senator Sununu, who continues to oppose any version of a national identity card, said... REAL ID program presents serious privacy concerns and is an unfunded, unnecessary, and intrusive mandate on the states. REAL ID should be repealed and replaced with a process that allows New Hampshire and all states the flexibility to produce tamper resistant licenses and incorporate measures to protect civil liberties in a manner that does not undermine national security."

Read statement here.

House Homeland Security Committee

"...the Final Rule still requires a great deal of work by the Department of Homeland Security. It is imperative that the Department produce a fiscally responsible and effective rule that does not infringe upon the privacy of Americans."

Read statement here.