[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 14 (Thursday, February 10, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H526]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       CLOSING CRITICAL LOOPHOLES

  (Mr. REICHERT asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, on September 11 terrorists struck the 
heart of the American people. By infiltrating our country and living 
among us, these enemies were able to plot and execute an attack on 
thousands of innocent Americans. It is imperative they do not have that 
opportunity again.
  Driver's licenses are the primary identification document in the 
United States, yet 11 States, including my home State, Washington, do 
not require applicants to provide proof they are in the country legally 
to obtain IDs. The 9/11 Commission report states: ``For terrorists, 
travel documents are as important as weapons.''
  These gaps in the system are critical loopholes. With a driver's 
license, the wrong person can then go on to purchase a firearm, rent a 
car, and board a plane.
  Mr. Speaker, as a former law enforcement officer of over 33 years, I 
can speak firsthand to the danger of firearms in the wrong hands. We do 
not need to make it easier for the terrorists to get weapons. I urge my 
colleagues to vote for the REAL ID Act today and take another stop to a 
more secure Nation.

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