In the last Congress, then-Congressman Tom Allen introduced a real repeal of REAL ID. This year, Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) has taken on that charge. The bill number is H.R.347. You can read it online at www.thomas.gov. Neither Congresswoman Chellie Pingree nor Congressman Mike Michaud are listed as co-sponsors yet. Unfortunately, there is no Senate counterpart to this bill at this time. Senators Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe could do Maine and the country a service by introducing similar legislation.
Bill Introduced To Repeal Failed Real ID Act - WASHINGTON – In a welcome move today, legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives to repeal the discredited Real ID Act of 2005. The REAL ID Repeal and Identification Security Enhancement Act of 2009, introduced by Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN), would repeal Real ID and replace it with the original negotiated rulemaking process passed by Congress as part of the 9/11 Commission recommendations. Twenty-five states have already rejected Real ID, citing its high cost, invasiveness and the bureaucratic hassles it creates for citizens. [ACLU Online Newsroom]
