Stay the Course on REAL ID

The Houston Chronicle July 29, 2009 The article “We cannot afford to pass on secure identity documents” (Page B10, Sunday) is on point that rolling back the federal law that increases driver's license security will significantly weaken Americans' protection against terrorists, criminals and illegal aliens fraudulently obtaining valid identification documents.  The Real ID Act is fundamentally about making sure driver's license applicants are who they claim to be by verifying that their source documents, such as birth certificates, are valid and reflect their identity.  Opponents of the law claim that most states cannot, or will not, comply with the regulations by the deadline; this is simply false.  According to the Coalition for a Secure Driver's License, more than 25 states are on their way to meeting the regulations by 2010. Of those states, 15 have already met, or will meet, the first deadline by Dec. 31, 2009. Even at full speed, a repeal and replacement of Real ID's regulations will take years.  Americans cannot afford to abandon ship just as so many states are beginning to make substantial improvements to their driver's license issuance system. Real ID is making real progress. Stay on course. CHRISTIAN GLEIMCoalition for a Secure Driver's License