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 Marsha Adams, Executive Director of the DMV, joins Gov. Mark Sanford during his statement regarding REAL ID.
Gov. Sanford said that the REAL ID law was never debated in Congress. He received a hearty applause when he added that “Federal policy should be debated, not dictated.” He explained that the bill was attached as a rider to a bill aiding Asian tsunami victims.
Gov. Sanford cited a study which found that the REAL ID is “the most egregious example of an unfunded Federal mandate.” He said that the Federal government will only pay 2% of the costs, leaving the states to pay the remainder. Gov. Sanford said there is “a runaway train in Washington with respect to spending.” He said that REAL ID would transfer funds away from other more important areas for S.C. such as impacts from hurricanes.
He reminded the audience that former Comptroller General David Walker (who quit his job to warn the public) has been sounding the alarm about our fiscal irresponsibility. He added, “Unfunded mandates sustain that process...If ever there was a time to draw a line in the sand for unfunded mandates, this is it.”
Gov. Sanford said that REAL ID would approximately double wait times to get a drivers license. He said if the Federal government wants a national ID, they need to use passports or establish some other ID and let them pay for it, adding that “this is a step against limited government.”
He said that the program would create a “central depository of citizens’ information. Rather than have data spread across 50 different states, it’s in one location.” He noted that the Pentagon’s computers were recently hacked while Presidential candidates’ passport data has been released, demonstrating that the Federal government could not ensure the security of private citizens’ data.
Gov. Sanford pointed out that the REAL ID is not internationally recognized and does not preclude anyone from coming to the U.S. with a foreign passport and fomenting terrorism. Consequently, he called the REAL ID “a substantially-flawed piece of legislation.”
Ms. Marsha Adams, Executive Director of the Dept. of Motor Vehicles, also provided details of the security of S.C. drivers licenses. She said that S.C. is in compliance with 16 of 18 requirements of REAL ID. The only two remaining details are that the Federal government wants the applicant’s photo taken upon entering the building, instead of as the final step, ostensibly to identify someone who was caught trying to use false documents and fled. Secondly, the license must have overt, covert and forensic security. The first refers to something visible like a hologram, the second to a secret security measure, and the latter is a feature that can only be detected by lab equipment. S.C. has all but the latter.
Regarding the possibility of illegal aliens or terrorists getting S.C. drivers licenses, Ms. Adams said that they thoroughly check all documents presented and in most instances require a valid Social Security number which is verified with the Federal government. The issued license is set to expire when the foreign applicant’s visa expires.
Gov. Sanford provided copies of a letter sent today to Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security, in which he stated, “As you know, South Carolina has enacted legislation that prevents the state from complying with REAL ID, and I am duty bound to comply with the laws of the state.
“In this regard, South Carolina is no different than several other states that have laws preventing them from complying with REAL ID...Given the way DHS has agreed to accept Montana’s driver licenses after May 11th, one would reasonably expect - and I would respectfully ask - that DHS will be consistent and not needlessly penalize the citizens of South Carolina and allow them to travel and enter federal buildings like the citizens of all other states.”
Gov. Sanford reminded both the audience and Mr. Chertoff in his letter that a person can fly without any ID, writing that “in a recent U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit case, it was conceded that a person doesn’t need any identification to fly, as long as they are subject to alternative screening.” He drew an enthusiastic applause when he repeated his written statement to Chertoff that “our greatest homeland security is liberty.”
Official Washington does not appear to acknowledge Gov. Sanford’s bold stand. Later in the day Sen. Lindsey Graham said, “I am pleased that South Carolina has been granted an extension by Sec. Chertoff regarding the REAL ID ... I will do my part to help ensure the federal government addresses the unfunded burden on the states by REAL ID ... However, in this age of international terrorism, we must secure the homeland. We need better identification to protect air travel, access to federal buildings, institutions, and other high value terrorist targets.”
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