WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) joined Senators John Sununu (R-NH), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Jon Tester (D-MT), Max Baucus (D-MT), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), and Susan Collins (R-ME) in sending a letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security dated March 12, questioning the implementation of the REAL ID Act of 2005 and the impact it will have on the American public on May 11, 2008.  On that date, driver's licenses and identification cards issued by states that have not requested an extension from the Department of Homeland Security will no longer be accepted to enter federal buildings or board commercial aircraft.  States who request an extension do not need to agree to comply with REAL ID or make any changes to their driver's licenses before May 11, 2008.

"I am concerned that the way DHS has chosen to implement this deadline, which does little to improve security, could lead to massive disruptions at our nation's airports and could deny Americans access to government services," Senator Akaka said.  "Requiring citizens to undergo secondary screening at our nation's airports solely because their states have not applied for an extension for REAL ID compliance is a needless exercise and huge burden on the traveling public."

The letter asks DHS to grant a blanket extension to all states.  In the alternative, the letter seeks answers to how DHS plans to address the potential problems if some states do not seek the extension.

On February 28, 2007, Senator Akaka introduced the Identification Security Enhancement Act, S. 717, to repeal REAL ID, replace it with the negotiated rulemaking process for securing driver's licenses specified in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, and provide additional privacy protections.  Senators Sununu, Leahy, Tester, Baucus and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) are cosponsors of the bill.

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