Homeland Security Chief to Promote Cheaper Secure Licenses

Associated Press
Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Speaking to senators Wednesday, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano says in prepared testimony that the Bush administration program is unrealistic because it's too expensive and the technology necessary to validate the licenses is not available.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano says the country needs to make driver's licenses more secure to thwart terrorists, and a new program supported by the Obama administration and governors across the country would do just that.

The creation of a new secure license would replace the Bush administration's proposed Real ID card with something called a Pass ID card.

Speaking to senators Wednesday, Napolitano says in prepared testimony that the Bush administration program is unrealistic because it's too expensive and the technology necessary to validate the licenses is not available.

Thirteen states have voted not to participate in Real ID, and others have raised complaints.

Opponents of the new program say the Pass ID would relax rules enacted after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

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