Republicans Rally Over License Issue
WNYC Newsroom


NEW YORK, NY October 04, 2007 —A presidential candidate whose signature issue is securing the US border came to New York yesterday to rail against Governor Spitzer's plan to allow illegal immigrants to get drivers licenses.

REPORTER: US Representative Thomas Tancredo testified against Governor Spitzer's plan to grant drivers licenses to undocumented workers at a public hearing by New York Republicans yesterday. The Colorado Congressman said Spitzer was thumbing his nose at the federal government.

TANCREDO: The governor's proposal is also an affront to the Congress of the United States because he has declared war on the Real ID Act, passed by an overwhelming vote nearly 2 years ago.

REPORTER: The real ID Act requires that by 2013, all US residents get new, federally-approved licenses for travel. Mayor Bloomberg has also expressed concern that Governor Spitzer's plan would run afoul of federal law. Spitzer disagrees. He says the application process will be rigorous.

http://www.wnyc.org/news/articles/86581