Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions
Floor Speech
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Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, in 2005, the Federal Government enacted the REAL ID Act, imposing Federal standards established by the Department of Homeland Security to the production and issuance of States' driver's licenses and identification cards.
This law was an underfunded, top down, Federal mandate, infringing on personal privacy and State sovereignty. Furthermore, a REAL ID compliant State ID will be required for all ``official federal purposes,'' including boarding commercial aircraft.
Twenty States have implemented laws prohibiting the implementation of REAL ID. Montana led opposition to this Federal mandate. In 2007, Montana enacted a law, after both chambers of the State legislature unanimously passing legislation, refusing to comply.
That is why I am re-introducing the Repeal ID Act--to allow Montana and other States to implement their laws. Consistent with the Montana State legislature, this legislation will repeal the REAL ID Act of 2005.
Montanans are fully aware of the power that big data holds and the consequences when that data is abused. Montana has shown how States are best equipped to make licenses secure, without sacrificing the privacy and rights of their citizens. The Repeal ID Act will allow us to strike a balance that protects our national security, while also safeguarding Montanans' civil liberties and personal privacy.
I want to thank Senator Tester for being original cosponsors of this bill and I ask my other Senate colleagues to join us in support of this legislation. I want to also thank Representative Zinke for leading introduction of companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Repeal ID Act of 2016''. SEC. 2. REPEAL OF REQUIREMENTS FOR UNIFORM STATE DRIVER'S LICENSES AND STATE IDENTIFICATION CARDS.
(a) Repeal.--Title II of the Real ID Act of 2005 (division B of Public Law 109-13) is repealed.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Criminal code.--Section 1028(a)(8) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking ``false or actual authentication features'' and inserting ``false identification features''.
(2) Intelligence reform and terrorism prevention act of 2004.--Section 7212 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-458) is amended to read as it did on the day before the date of the enactment of the Real ID Act of 2005.
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