REAL ID Makes Americans Safer

REAL ID Makes Americans Safer
May 6, 2005

Recently, my House colleagues and I took another important step toward improving the safety of our homeland and the security of our borders, with the enactment of several key reforms recommended by the 9/11 Commission.

Earlier this year, I supported House passage of the REAL ID Act (HR 418). This legislation makes important, common-sense reforms regarding the use of state-issued driver's licenses and personal identification cards. It also included stricter rules for granting asylum to foreign nationals. As a member of the House Government Reform Committee, I participated in a series of hearings that led to the inclusion of these reforms in the Intelligence Reform Act. When these provisions were removed from the final version of the bill that was enacted into law last December, I worked with my colleagues to make driver's license reform the first piece of must-pass legislation in the 109th Congress.

As the 9/11 Commission reported, most of the terrorists who attacked our nation on September 11, 2001 possessed valid driver's licenses and state-issued identification cards. Most entered the country legally on temporary visas, with entry permits for six months. Four of the terrorists had been in the United States for extended periods, although none was a legal, permanent resident. Several had fallen out of legal status and were, therefore, in the United States illegally. The uniform standards mandated by the REAL ID Act will close this loophole, making it harder for terrorists to obtain a driver's license, and preventing them from carrying out further acts of violence against our country. The REAL ID Act requires that applicants prove that they are in this country legally. The average American might be surprised to know that proof of identity before obtaining a license, in some states, is not already a requirement.

The driver's license requirements in the state of Ohio are compliant with the minimum standards set by the REAL ID Act. However, several states issue driver's licenses without verifying that the applicants are legitimate residents. If a state fails to adopt minimum identification standards within a three-year timeframe, the government will not accept that state's driver's license as an adequate form of identification for air travel or for any federal purpose.

The text of the REAL ID Act was attached to the FY2005 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief (HR 1268). The Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act was passed by the House with my support, on May 5, 2005. In addition to supplying our troops and funding our ongoing operations in the War on Terrorism, this legislation provides aid to the victims of the recent tsunami disaster, and includes additional funding to secure our borders. The supplemental contains $635 million to increase border security, including more than $175 million for the hiring of an additional 500 Border Patrol agents. The bill also authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to complete the construction of a 14-mile border fence between Mexico and San Diego, in an effort to deter narcotics smuggling and illegal entries.

The conference report that resolved differences between the House and Senate versions of the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act passed by one of the broadest and widest bipartisan votes this year. The House adopted the conference report by a vote of 368-58. The Senate approved the supplemental by a unanimous 100-0 vote, and it was signed into law by President Bush the following day. I am pleased to have joined my colleagues in Congress and the President in this bipartisan effort to strengthen our borders, protect our nation and make our citizens safer.

http://www.house.gov/miketurner/news/columns/5.20.05.shtml