[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 94 (Wednesday, July 15, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H5503]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  FREEDOM AND PRIVACY RESTORATION ACT

  (Mr. PAUL asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  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 
an 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 until 
they can produce a State driver's license that is the equivalent of 
conforming to Federal specifications. Under the 1996 Kennedy-Kassebaum 
health care reform law, Americans may be forced to present a federally 
approved driver's license before consulting their doctors for medical 
treatment.
  My fellow colleagues, make no doubt about this, this is a national 
I.D. card. We do not need it. Please join me in an effort to stop it.

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