Sen. Klobuchar Can Help Stop a National ID
"Letter to Editor"07/23/2007
Senator Amy Klobuchar is on the fence about partially funding REAL ID. Please tell her to vote NO on the "sucker money" amendment.
Dear DFLers,
The REAL ID Act of 2005 is poised to turn your Minnesota driver’s license into a national identity card. It will take us one step closer towards a surveillance society that will erode our right to privacy, not to mention the safety and security of our information.
Seventeen states have launched an unprecedented revolt against this law, passing legislation either rejecting it or calling on Congress to repeal it. Legislation was introduced in an additional twenty-one states to reject Real ID.
Now, Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) is planning to introduce what can only be called a “Sucker Money Amendment,” an attempt to dupe states like Minnesota into supporting REAL ID and dropping their well-founded opposition.
The bottom line is this: The offer is a pittance and it’s important Senator Klobuchar and the people of Minnesota don’t fall for it.
Please, call Senator Amy Klobuchar at one of these numbers:
In Washington, D.C. - (202) 224-3244
In Minnesota - (612) 727-5220
When you call, you can say something like this:
Senator Lamar Alexander from Tennessee plans to introduce an amendment to S. 1644, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill for 2008, to provide $300 million in funding to implement REAL ID. Please oppose Senator Alexander’s "Sucker Money" Amendment.
For additional talking points or to look up a different senator, go here.
The program is a pittance and will do almost nothing for taxpayers from your state. $300 million is offered for the whole United States, which is less than 2% of the program’s price tag of more than $23 billion (as estimated by the Department of Homeland Security).
In addition, the final cost, no matter how it’s divided up, will be borne by American taxpayers, and REAL ID is a colossal waste.
This vote is expected to be close, and Senator Klobuchar is on the fence. With voting scheduled to take place this week, there’s no time to lose.
Please, call today.
Sincerely,
Caroline Fredrickson
Director
ACLU Washington Legislative Office