(June 20, 2014)
At this very moment Governor Bobby Jindal has an opporuntity to show what he is made of. Normally when the Constitutional Alliance discusses the Real ID Act 2005 we focus on the “biometric” component of the Real ID Act. Specifically, we focus on the mandated high resolution, digital facial image that is facial recogniton comptable. There is another provision of the Real ID Act 2005 that is very disturbing and that is the “Official Purposes” of the Real ID Act. Simply what I am speaking of is the unfettered discretion given to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to determine for what purposes a Real ID compliant driver’s license will be needed.
I would ask Governor Jindal why the urgency for Louisiana to become Real ID compliant? Actually, I would ask every Governor and state lawmakers what is the urgency? The fact is there is no urgency to give the Secretary of DHS more power. Nobody is going to be refused boarding an airplane simply because they do not have a Real ID compliant driver’s license or for that matter any other “acceptable alternative identification document” such as a passport or military ID card. DHS’s own press release dated 20 December 2013 stated DHS would not be asking for a Real ID compliant driver’s license to board a commercial airliner “No Sooner Than” January, 2016.
Does Governor Jindal want his legacy to be that he caved on states’ rights? How will the Governor respond if the Secretary of DHS decides that a Real ID compliant driver’s license is needed to purchase a weapon or ammunition? How will Governor Jindal respond if the Secretary of DHS decides that a Real ID compliant driver’s license must be presented before people can attend events where over a 100 people will be at?
If for no other reason, and there are other reasons such as mandated global biometric enrollment, regardless if a person is a Republican, Democrat of Independent, everyone should oppose the Real ID Act because of the POWER the Real ID Act gives the Secreatry of DHS. All people should know that the Secretary of DHS does NOT need the approval of Congress to add to the “Official Purposes” of the Real ID Act 2005.
Leaders of different state groups including the Lousiana Power Coalition, Louisiana Tea Party and Eagle Forum testified against HB907 (conforming with Real ID).
Governor Jindal it is now time to walk the walk. The Governor will let all people know what he is made of soon. There is a bill, HB907 sitting on the Governor’s desk. If the Governor signs HB907, his signature will speak a thousand words; words he can never take back. You may contact the Governor’s office by calling (225) 342-7015 or (866) 366-1121 (toll free).
About The Author 
Mark Lerner is a co-founder of the Constitutional Alliance, an alliance of groups and individuals who support the Mission Statement.