August 8, 2007
Chertoff Says REAL ID Must Be a Shared Responsibility
BOSTON - Fake IDs that get teens into bars are a small worry compared with phony licenses that get terrorists onto airplanes, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff said at the National Conference of State Legislatures' 2007 Legislative Summit.
"When I went to college, and I doubt it's changed much, anyone could get a drivers' license by walking into the equivalent of a convenience store and talking to their friends. In those days, the big concern was underage drinking," Chertoff said. "Nowadays, the concern is those 19 hijackers getting onto airplanes in order to attack the United States of America.
"Anybody who believes the current system of licenses is secure is kidding themselves," he added.
State legislators agree that drivers' licenses must be more secure. But the REAL ID Act, the federal solution to the problem, will strap states with an estimated $11 billion bill during the next five years.
Chertoff said he recognizes the challenges states will face. He said the administration is working with Congress to help states pay for what he called "back office" costs of connecting states' databases so its easier to verify an applicant's identity. But states will have to pay other costs to implement the law.
"There will be some state responsibility," Chertoff said. "Your motor vehicle office is always going to be funded by the state. We recognize that there is going to be an irreducible expense that falls on you and that's part of the shared responsibility (of securing drivers' licenses.)"
He said Real ID is not a mandate. States can elect not to participate. But then, citizens of those states would have to use a passport instead of their state-issued driver's licenses as their federal identification.
"We were excited excited to have the secretary here," said NCSL President and Texas Senator Leticia Van de Putte. "However, what I heard from my colleagues was respectful cynicism at the deparment's inability to see how egregious this is to the states."
Watch a video clip with more lawmakers' reactions.
NCSL is organization that serves the legislators and staff of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.
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