House Overwhelmingly Votes to Block Real ID

House Democrats and Republicans wanted to send a very clear message to Washington.

They did.

268 representatives voted against complying with Real ID.

Only eight opposed it.

Prime sponsor Republican Neal Kurk says people from across the political spectrum see Real ID as the first step towards some Orwellian nightmare.

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:21 ...This is a device that will ultimately allow the federal government to control its citizens in a big brother sort of way....I think the overwhelming vote in favor of banning Real ID says that this is not just a view held by a few folks, but it is near universally shared.

Congress passed Real ID in 2005 as a response to the 9/11 commission's recommendation that Washington set higher national standards for ids.

States would have to create a tamper-resistant card.

And personal information like birth certificates and passports would be held in a widely accessible database to both federal and state governments.

What some critics fear is that hackers will pry into those databases and steal people's identities.

Others worry the federal government will require citizens to carry their Real ID at all times.

Still others are concerned about the program's price tag...which even proponents put in the billions.

Republican Representative John Hunt believes the federal government should cover its share of the costs.

But as one of the eight members to vote against the ban, he says he just doesn't get why people are so scared.

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1:51 I think a lot of this fear about how these numbers can be used, or how a card can be used is paranoia. The reality is for most of us, we want to take advantage of technology.....it's like secret agent man coming up with some kind of reader that is going to read it out of my pocket. That's Mission Impossible stuff. Why are we legislating paranoia?

Hunt and other Real ID supporters say the government must tighten identification standards.

Proponents argue right now, it is still too easy for terrorists to obtain ids.

But despite those concerns New Hampshire and some 25 others have either introduced or passed measures considered anti-Real ID.

If this measure passes in the next few weeks, New Hampshire could likely become the first state to establish a statute prohibiting the program.

New Hampshire American Civil Union Executive Director Claire Ebel says she believes this is just the beginning.

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6:40 I have heard from the executive directors of several states within the ACLU network who have told me, once the ball begins to roll, it will be the snowball that goes down hill. And will become the largest effort ever to repeal a federal statute. And so my guess is when the size of the vote hits the AP wire...that other states are going to say, now is the time to move.

The bill now moves to the Senate.

Republican Senator Bob Clegg strongly supports Real ID.

He says lawmakers need to appreciate passing this bill comes with real consequences.

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:07 when it comes in, we want to make sure that people understand that not using your license as a method of identifying yourself, to get on an airplane, or enter a federal building are going to have to have a passport.

Clegg added that while some may object to Real ID, it believes it is far less invasive than whatever federal officials would propose after the next terrorist attack.

For NHPR News, I'm DG.