Congress Must Repeal the Real ID Act

The Real ID Act, passed with little debate in Congress in 2005, create's America's first-ever national ID card system.

The Real ID Act will facilitate government tracking of Americans' movements through a network of electronic identity checks, databases, and access points. By requiring Americans to use Real ID cards with "machine-readable" barcodes for "everyday transactions", the government and private sector will be able to gather more information about Americans than ever before.

Each time a person uses their Real ID card, he or she will leave a digital fingerprint of his or her activity. The Department of Homeland Security has already stated that there is no limit to the daily activities for which it could require a Real ID card. Suggestions have already included requiring a Real ID card to access federal housing assistance, to vote, to get a job, and to purchase alcohol or other commercial goods.

Congress must repeal the Real ID Act.

Take a moment to send a free fax to your senators and representatives in Congress urging them to take action to repeal the national ID card provisions contained in the Real ID Act by co-sponsoring the Identification Security Enhancement Act (H.R. 1117/S. 717).

For more information on the Real ID Act and how it will impact life in New York, click here.

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Talking Points

The Identification Security Enhancement Act:

× Restores the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission for identification security.
× Brings all critical stakeholders back to the table to discuss ID security.
× Protects Americans' fundamental rights to privacy and due process.
× Respects federalism principles by restoring to states the power to grant driver's licenses.

Subject:

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

As your constituent, I urge you to support the repeal of the Real ID Act by co-sponsoring the bipartisan Identification Security Enhancement Act (H.R. 1117/S. 717).

If implemented in New York, the Real ID Act will lead to more taxes, bureaucratic hurdles, and identity theft for Americans. It will also create a national ID card system that will allow for the government and private sector to monitor the movements and activities of ordinary law-abiding New Yorkers.

The Department of Homeland Security has already stated that a Real ID card will become necessary for "everyday transactions" for Americans. In the near future, Americans will need a Real ID card to receive public benefits, vote, or access other private and government services. Those Americans who cannot afford a Real ID card could lose vital rights.

Protecting against fraudulent driver?s licenses is an important goal. Yet the Real ID Act goes much further and needlessly creates America's first-ever national ID card system.

That's why 22 states have already passed legislation rejecting the Real ID Act.

The Identification Security Enhancement Act will bring all critical stakeholders back to the table to discuss ID security, as Congress first recommended prior to passage of the Real ID Act. HR 1117 will protect Americans' fundamental rights to privacy and due process, and respect federalism principles by restoring to states the power to grant driver's licenses.

(Edit Letter Below)

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

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