Push Back on IDs

Feds vs. States over a national ID system. More fragmentation.

Montana governor Brian Schweitzer (D) declared independence Friday from federal identification rules and called on governors of 17 other states to join him in forcing a showdown with the federal government which says it will not accept the driver's licenses of rebel states' citizens starting May 11.

...But Homeland Security spokeswoman Laura Keehner says DHS has no intention of blinking. "That will mean real consequences for their citizens starting in may if their leadership chooses not to comply," Keehner said. "That includes getting on an airplane or entering a federal building, so they will need to get passports." Keehner says DHS's policy won't change even if Georgia -- one of the 17 states that has signaled strong opposition to the rules -- declines to apply for an extension. If that scenario came to pass, every Georgian who flies out through the nation's busiest airport -- Atlanta-Hartsfield International -- would have to be patted down by Homeland Security agents and have his carry-on bag hand-screened, likely resulting in massive delays.

Comments

[Michael Tanji]

One more reason to repeal the 17th amendment.

[Tangurena]

Can the states shut down airports (in their states) that refuse to accept their ID/driving licenses? Our local airport here, DIA, is owned by the city and county of Denver. We've already had a bit of a pissing match here in Denver with bus routes that used to go through the federal center (it is like a business park, but owned by the federal government and all buildings inside are civilian federal agencies like USGS) being stopped and people without ID getting arrested. Almost all of the bus routes that used to go through the center have been rerouted.
Sample:
http://www.papersplease.org/davis/facts.html