Joe Lieberman: “when the State governments of our Nation say that these drivers' license provisions are unworkable, we need to take…”

“when the State governments of our Nation say that these drivers' license provisions are unworkable, we need to take notice. State governments have been issuing drivers' licenses for decades. They are the experts, and we will need their input and coordination if we are going to implement the drivers' license standards recommended by the 9/11 Commission. I urge my colleagues to oppose the REAL ID Act. We must ask our Senate conferees not to allow such a controversial measure to be pushed through Congress on an emergency spending bill. The REAL ID Act contradicts our historic identity as a nation that provides a haven for the oppressed. The REAL ID Act would not make us safer. It would make us less safe. It would repeal provisions enacting a central recommendation of the 9/11 Commission, and it would undermine a vital counterterrorism initiative. Exhibit 1 March 17, 2005. Hon. William H. Frist, Majority Leader, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. Hon. Harry Reid, Minority Leader, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. Dear Senator Frist and Senator Reid: We write to express our opposition to Title II of H.R. 418, the ``Improved Security For Driver's Licenses and Personal Identification Cards'' provision, which has been attached to H.R. 1268, the fiscal year 2005 supplemental spending measure.…”