Mont. Governor Calls for Rally Against Real ID

Asks 17 other states to 'join me in resisting'
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 19, 2008 10:33 AM CST
Mont. Governor Calls for Rally Against Real ID
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff speaks at a news conference on REAL ID at the National Press Club on Friday, Jan. 11, 2008 in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)   (Associated Press)

Montana's governor firmly rejected new federal ID legislation yesterday, urging 17 other states to join him in battling the DHS Real ID program, which requires citizens to reapply for ID, Wired reports. "If we stand together either DHS will blink or Congress will have to act to avoid havoc at our nation's airports and federal courthouses," Brian Schweitzer wrote to fellow governors.

But a Homeland Security spokeswoman said the department wouldn’t waver. The legislation requires that ID holders under 50 get new documentation; state drivers’ licenses won’t be federally legit starting in May, causing inconveniences like airport pat-downs unless state governments ask for a deadline extension. Montana passed its own laws against the program last year. (More driver's license stories.)

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