REAL ID Enforcement Begins: Lawmakers Weigh In on Implementation, Concerns

After a 20-year rollout period, the REAL ID Act is now in full effect, requiring passengers to possess a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport, to board domestic flights within the United States. The implementation of this final phase has sparked debate among lawmakers, with some expressing concerns about their constituents’ preparedness and awareness, while others champion the measure as a crucial step towards enhanced national security.

Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill shared their perspectives with Fox News Digital, reflecting on the implementation process in their respective states and addressing potential challenges. The Trump administration had previously indicated that no deadline extensions would be granted, adding urgency to the matter.

Rep. Diana Harshbarger of Tennessee emphasized her state’s proactive approach to REAL ID implementation. "I had to go through all that to get it on my license, and that was a year or two ago," she stated. "Tennessee put that into effect a long time ago. If there’s a hard deadline now, people better get on the stick."

While acknowledging potential difficulties for some constituents, many Republican lawmakers voiced their support for REAL ID as a vital security measure. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida characterized REAL ID as "a better way to prove who you are, and make sure there’s less fraud in the country." He underscored the importance of standardized identification protocols across all states.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama echoed this sentiment, stating, "It’s important that every state does the same thing. We can’t have some states doing one thing, some states doing the other. This is the United States of America, the last time I looked. We’re going to do it. Let’s all do it the same, do it the right way, take care of business, and go from there."

Rep. Jeff Crank of Colorado highlighted his state’s successful implementation of REAL ID, noting, "Colorado’s gotten a lot of things wrong, but on REAL ID, I think they did a good job." He contrasted Colorado’s experience with that of other states facing implementation challenges.

Kentucky lawmakers, including Senate Transportation Committee Chair Jimmy Higdon and 27 state Senate leaders, previously sought a delay in REAL ID enforcement, citing concerns about limited access to driver’s licensing services due to appointment availability and long wait times. Their plea for an extension, directed to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, was ultimately denied by the Trump administration.

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis of New York expressed apprehension about constituents being unaware of the REAL ID requirement or lacking sufficient time to obtain the necessary identification. "What I’m concerned about is that constituents who may not be aware of the REAL ID requirement or that didn’t have time to get their REAL ID, will show up at an airport to go on a flight and realize they can’t fly domestically anymore without that REAL ID," she said.

Malliotakis emphasized the need for greater public awareness campaigns, urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to proactively disseminate information about REAL ID requirements. "I think the government needs to be more proactive and do advertisements. I would urge DHS and TSA to be doing that to get the word out there, so people can get their REAL ID as soon as possible," she added.

Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri raised broader concerns about the lack of congressional debate surrounding REAL ID, despite its passage in 2005. "REAL ID has not really been talked a whole lot about in Congress, and we’re starting to get questions from constituents," he stated. "We want to make sure that people have the ability to make accommodations, but the question is whether or not we even need this. We haven’t even had that debate in Congress. We should."

Rep. Dale Strong of Alabama offered a simple message to his constituents: "Get the yellow star on your driver’s license, it’ll help you down the road."

The implementation of REAL ID has been a long and complex process, marked by challenges such as the pandemic, concerns about costs, and privacy considerations. The Act, passed in 2005 in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards.

The ultimate goal of REAL ID is to enhance the security and integrity of identity verification processes, making it more difficult for individuals to fraudulently obtain identification documents. By standardizing these documents across states, REAL ID aims to improve national security and prevent terrorism.

With the full enforcement of REAL ID now in effect, travelers are urged to ensure they possess a compliant form of identification to avoid potential disruptions to their travel plans. The TSA website provides a comprehensive list of acceptable identification documents, including REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses, passports, and military IDs. Individuals are encouraged to verify their state’s compliance with REAL ID requirements and take necessary steps to obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or other acceptable form of identification as soon as possible. Public awareness campaigns continue in an effort to educate citizens.