Maine Civil Liberties Union Applauds Legislation to Repeal Real ID
Bill Addresses Concerns of Mainers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Portland: The Maine Civil Liberties Union today applauded U.S. Representative Tom Allen for introducing H.R. 1117, The Repeal Real ID and Identification Security Enhancement Act.  The bill would repeal REAL ID driver’s license requirements including the provisions that have alarmed privacy advocates across the political spectrum.  In January, Maine became the first state in the nation to reject Real ID when the state Legislature passed a resolution to refuse implementing the Act. 

“We applaud Congressman Allen for recognizing REAL ID for what it is – a real nightmare,” said MCLU Executive Director Shenna Bellows.  “REAL ID is so broken from a privacy and civil liberties perspective, it cannot be fixed.”

Since the Maine Legislature voted to reject Real ID, similar legislation has been adopted in the state House of Representatives of Montana, New Mexico, Vermont and Wyoming.  Similar bills have been introduced in Arizona, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Washington. 

“The State of Maine voted overwhelmingly to reject Real ID, and many other states are following our lead,” said Bellows.  “We commend Congressman Allen for taking this to Washington.”

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