Congressman King Co-Sponsors Real ID Bill

CONGRESSMAN KING CO-SPONSORS REAL ID BILL

Bill Prohibits Terrorists from Obtaining Identification Cards, Boarding Planes

Washington, D.C.—Iowa Congressman Steve King is co-sponsoring a crucial bill that would eliminate many loopholes in the county's domestic security laws, including those that allowed the September 11th highjackers to abuse the system and carry out their attacks.

The Real ID Act includes the provisions dropped from last month's hotly contested National Security Intelligence Reform Act of 2004. King voted against the act at the end of the 108th Congress because he was concerned that it didn't address major problems in U.S. intelligence gathering, and it did not contain these provisions. The original bill passed with promises made to King and House Judiciary Chairman Sensenbrenner on legislation at the beginning of the new Congress that would address those weaknesses in the system.

The Real ID Act requires states to abide by federal standards when issuing drivers' licenses and state identification cards.

"Drivers' licenses have become de facto federal ID cards -- they allow people to blend in, move around freely inside the country, rent apartments, go to work and board planes," said King. "We must make sure that the people we're issuing government ID cards to are here legally and do not intend to harm Americans."

In addition, the Real ID Act allows the deportation of aliens who conduct terrorism-related activities. The bill makes the standards for those living in our country the same as those the government uses to keeping potentially dangerous aliens from entering the country.

"It's outrageous that we'll try to keep people out of the country on grounds of terrorism risk, but the minute they sneak in, we can't deport them," added King. "Closing those loopholes is common sense. It's been three years and we still haven't passed laws that would prevent those 19 highjackers from doing what they did".

Under the Real ID Bill:

? Driver's license applicants must prove a lawful presence in the U.S.

? Temporary drivers' licenses would expire at the same time temporary worker VISAs expire

? Driver's license applicants must undergo rigorous proof of identity process

? The U.S. asylum system would be less prone to abuse by terrorists

? Aliens who participate in terrorism-related activities would be deported

? The San Diego border fence would be quickly completed, and one of the U.S. corridors with the heaviest illegal entry traffic would be secured

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ia05_king/pr_050127realidbill.html