Real Id 'unnecessary In Keeping Us Safe,' Gop Lawmaker Says As Deadline Looms

With nan last REAL ID deadline looming this week, 1 House Republican lawmaker told Fox News Digital he believes it's an "unnecessary" load connected Americans.

"I personally don't support nan REAL ID. I deliberation that it's unnecessary successful keeping america safe," Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., told Fox News Digital successful an interview. 

The Missouri Republican said his authorities made it "very easy" for residents to comply pinch nan coming May 7 deadline, though he suggested he didn't work together pinch it.

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A TSA agent, a DMV halfway and lines of travelers astatine a U.S. airport (Getty Images)

"I deliberation that erstwhile you look at, you know, this was implemented from recommendations from nan 9/11 Commission. But yet each 1 of nan terrorists that were present had a passport. I mean, they had much than conscionable a authorities ID. I don't deliberation immoderate of them were operating connected a authorities ID," Burlison said.

"It's erstwhile again authorities seeing an opportunity successful making nan lives of U.S. citizens much difficult."

REAL ID was created by rule successful 2005, but nan national authorities has delayed its implementation aggregate times, astir precocious successful 2022. But nan Trump administration has made clear nan existent May 7 deadline is final.

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Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., said REAL ID is "unnecessary" for safety. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

From then, a REAL ID will beryllium needed for home hose recreation — alternatively than a normal state-issued licence — arsenic good arsenic successful areas wherever national recognition is required. 

Having a REAL ID itself is not required, peculiarly if 1 has a U.S. passport.

The Trump management has based on that yet acting connected REAL ID helps nan White House’s crackdown connected forbidden immigrants, millions of whom person entered nan state since President Donald Trump was past successful office.

But nan scramble to scope nan deadline has led to agelong lines astatine DMVs, pinch immoderate states opening emergency locations successful airports and different places to thief woody pinch nan surge of group seeking appointments.

REAL ID will beryllium needed for home aerial recreation successful spot of a authorities ID. (Fox News)

When previously reached astir nan deadline by Fox News Digital, nan Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said, "Beginning connected May 7, passengers will request a REAL ID aliases different acceptable shape of recognition to fly, for illustration a passport aliases subject ID. TSA is committed to enforcing nan law, arsenic directed by Congress.

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"Noncompliant passengers whitethorn expect hold times aliases further measures astatine airports. If you are an forbidden alien without a REAL ID, nan only measurement you will beryllium permitted to alert is if you are self-deporting," TSA said.

Fox News Digital reached retired to nan TSA for remark connected Burlison's remarks.