[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 94 (Wednesday, July 15, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1309]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                THE FREEDOM AND PRIVACY RESTORATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 15, 1998

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Freedom and 
Privacy Restoration Act, which repeals those sections of the Illegal 
Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 authorizing 
the establishment of federal standards for birth certificates and 
drivers' licenses. This obscure provision, which was part of a major 
piece of legislation passed at the end of the 104th Congress, 
represents a major power grab by the federal government and a threat to 
the liberties of every American, for it would transform state drivers' 
licenses into national ID cards.
  If this scheme is not stopped, no American will be able to get a job; 
open a bank account; apply for Social Security or Medicare; exercise 
their Second Amendment rights; or even take an airplane flight unless 
they can produce a state drivers' license, or its equivalent, that 
conforms to federal specifications. Under the 1996 Kennedy-Kassebaum 
health care reform law, Americans may even be forced to present a 
federally-approved drivers' license before consulting their physicians 
for medical treatment!
  Mr. Speaker, the Federal Government has no constitutional authority 
to require Americans to present any form of identification before 
engaging in any private transaction such as opening a bank account, 
seeing a doctor, or seeking employment.
  The establishment of a national standard for drivers' licenses and 
birth certificates makes a mockery of the 10th amendment and the 
principles of federalism. While no state is forced to conform their 
birth certificates or drivers' licenses to federal standards, it is 
unlikely they will not comply when failure to conform to federal 
specifications means none of that state's residents may get a job, 
receive Social Security, or even leave the state by plane? Thus, rather 
than imposing a direct mandate on the states, the federal government is 
blackmailing states into complying with federal dictates.
  Of course, the most important reason to support the Freedom and 
Privacy Restoration Act is because any uniform, national system of 
identification would allow the federal government to inappropriately 
monitor the movements and transactions of every citizen. History shows 
that when government gains the power to monitor the actions of the 
people, it eventually uses that power to impose totalitarian controls 
on the populace.
  I ask my colleagues what would the founders of this country say if 
they knew the limited federal government they bequeathed to America 
would soon have the power to demand that all Americans obtain a 
federally-approved ID?
  If the disapproval of the Founders is not sufficient to cause my 
colleagues to support this legislation, then perhaps they should 
consider the reaction of the American people when they discover that 
they must produce a federally-approved ID in order to get a job or open 
a bank account. Already many offices are being flooded with complaints 
about the movement toward a national ID card. If this scheme is not 
halted, Congress and the entire political establishment could drown in 
the backlash from the American people.
  National ID cards are a trademark of totalitarianism and are thus 
incompatible with a free society. In order to preserve some semblance 
of American liberty and republican government I am proud to introduce 
the Freedom and Privacy Restoration Act. I thank Congressman Barr for 
joining me in cosponsoring this legislation. I urge my colleagues to 
stand up for the rights of American people by cosponsoring the Freedom 
and Privacy Restoration Act.

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