Douglas Alexander: “I am concerned about the so-called ``Real ID Act,'' a bill recently passed by the House of Representatives that would…”

“I am concerned about the so-called ``Real ID Act,'' a bill recently passed by the House of Representatives that would require States to turn 190 million driver's licenses into national identification cards, with State taxpayers, I am afraid, paying most of the costs. The first thing wrong here is that some House Members want to stick that identification card proposal on the appropriations bill that supports troops in Iraq. We should not slow down money for our troops while we debate identification cards. The second problem is that States not only get to create these identification cards, States will likely end up paying the bill. This is one more of the unfunded Federal mandates that we Republicans especially promised to stop. Supporters argue this is no mandate because States have a choice. Well, true. States may refuse to conform to the proposed Federal standards and issue licenses to whomever they choose, including illegal immigrants. But, if they do, States' licenses will not be accepted for ``Federal purposes,'' such as boarding an airplane. That is some choice.”