Gary Hart: “the REAL ID Act completes the mission of the 9/11 Commission recommendations by implementing common sense reforms to…”

“the REAL ID Act completes the mission of the 9/11 Commission recommendations by implementing common sense reforms to strengthen our borders security and better protect our homeland. Implementing Much Needed Driver's License Reforms Driver's licenses have become the primary identification document in the United States, enabling individuals to get other identity documents, transfer funds to a U.S. bank account, obtain access to federal buildings and other vulnerable facilities, purchase a firearm, rent a car and board a plane. Lax standards and loopholes in the current issuance processes allow terrorists to obtain driver's licenses--often multiple licenses from different states--and abuse the license for identification purposes. The Sept 11th hijackers had, within their possession, at least 15 valid drivers licenses and numerous State issued identity cards with a large variety of addresses. Identification documents are the last opportunity to ensure that people are who they say they are and to check whether they are terrorists. The REAL ID Act would require applicants to provide proof they are in the country legally.”