Plan to secure ID

WASHINGTON — The Senate wants to replace a Bush administration program to secure driver’s licenses with a plan that would cost states less money — a plan that some say is a relaxation of the post-9/11 rules.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said the new plan, which was introduced Monday, would refine the current Real ID program, but would not gut the security requirements of the law, passed in 2005 after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

"It is a recognition that Real ID, as originally passed, is simply not being put in place by the states,” Napolitano said Monday.

The National Governors Association, which helped write the new proposal, said the current law would cost states $4 billion while the new plan could cut the costs to between $1.3 billion and $2 billion.

The 2001 attacks were the main motivation for the original law. The hijacker-pilot who flew into the Pentagon, Hani Hanjour, had four driver’s licenses and ID cards from three states.

Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., said the new proposal would bring the country back to pre-9/11 standards. "She’s dead wrong on this issue,” he said of Napolitano.

Sen. Daniel Akaka said the new proposal does exactly what the 9/11 Commission recommended.

"It sets strong security standards for the issuance of identification cards and driver’s licenses,” the Hawaii Democrat said.



by the associated press