Alan Simpson: “These series of amendments deal with a certain issue. They are intended to improve section 118 of the bill which relates…”

“These series of amendments deal with a certain issue. They are intended to improve section 118 of the bill which relates to the improvements in the birth certificate and driver's license. These were contained in a single amendment to this section of the bill, and they have been united en bloc. These amendments in their en bloc form provide for a 6-year phase in of the driver's license improvements. It provides that the agency will develop the new minimum standards for birth certificate copies--the agency designated by the President and not necessarily the Department of Health and Human Services. The second amendment, or the amendments, eliminate the reference to the phrase 'use by imposters.' And the purpose here is to remove any implication that fingerprints, or other so-called biometric information will be required. That came up in the debate in committee. I have no desire to go to that intrusive level, and it is not there. It directs the agency developing the new standards for birth certificate copies not to require a single design. That was part of the debate. Surely we cannot require a single design, and we do not. All of the States would not have to conform to this, and it directs the agency to take into account differences between the States and how birth records are kept and copies are produced. And it directs the agency developing the birth certificate standards to first consult with other Federal agencies as well as with the States.”