Senators Threaten To Repeal Real ID Act Unless Changes Are MadeSenators Threaten To Repeal Real ID Act Unless Changes Are Made

Two senators are pushing for changes to the Real ID Act, a 2005 law that heaped tech-intensive requirements on state IDs.

Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, and Sen. John Sununu, R-N.H., say they want better privacy protections and lower costs or they'll try to have the national ID law repealed. The Real ID Act lets the Homeland Security Department set requirements for state licenses and IDs used to enter federal buildings or boarding planes.

The National Governors' Association says states would have to spend $1.4 billion to meet the requirement that they electronically verify all documents used to obtain driver's licenses and $11 billion for the whole program.

Akaka also criticized requirements for collecting and storing personally identifiable data, including Social Security numbers, proof of residence, and biometric IDs. "If the new state databases are compromised," he says, "they'll provide one-stop access to virtually all information necessary to commit identity theft."