http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/2005/04/27/sections/nation_world/nation_world/article_496580.php
Real ID law looks likely to be enacted
Iraq spending bill rider would block illegal immigrants' driver's licenses.
By DENA BUNIS
The Orange County Register
WASHINGTON – A White House letter of support issued Tuesday and comments by the Senate Democratic leader all make it likely that a measure that would virtually eliminate the ability of illegal immigrants to get driver's licenses will be part of the final Iraq supplemental spending bill.
"The administration strongly urges the conferees to include the Real ID Act of 2005 in the final version of the bill," Joshua Bolton, director of the administration's Office of Management and Budget, said in a letter to congressional appropriations leaders. "This important legislation will strengthen the ability of the United States to protect against terrorist entry into and activities within the United States.''
The House's version of the spending bill includes the Real ID Act while the Senate one does not. That and other differences in the measures will be hashed out in a conference committee.
The White House letter came a day after Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid told reporters that there was little chance of preventing the immigration measure from being attached to the Iraq spending bill.
"It's only a question of when," Reid said. "A senator came into my office and said, 'I want to filibuster this,' and I said, 'Get real.' "
Reid's office made it clear Tuesday that he opposes the Real ID Act but wasbeing realistic about the chances of the House agreeing to strip it from its version of the Iraq bill. It would be difficult, aides said, to get the Senate to turn down a spending bill for the troops, even with an immigration measure many oppose.
"We have reached the turning point," Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Huntington Beach, said to the applause and cheers of a group of citizen lobbyists who are spending this week on Capitol Hill, knocking on lawmakers doors calling for a crackdown on illegal immigration.
"Had the Real ID act been in effect prior to 9/11," said Rep. Ed Royce, R-Fullerton, two of the hijackers, including one who piloted the plane that hit the Pentagon, would not have been able to get a driver's license and board a U.S. plane.
While the administration had voiced its support when the Real ID passed the House, opponents of the bill had hoped President George W. Bush would lay low on this matter when it went to a House-Senate conference.
"The president had done a lot to elevate this debate," said Angela Kelley, deputy director of the National Immigration Forum, a pro-immigration group. "For him to turn around and bear hug this set of punitive measures that is going to do nothing to enhance our security is really quite breathtaking."
Real ID law looks likely to be enacted
Iraq spending bill rider would block illegal immigrants' driver's licenses.
By DENA BUNIS
The Orange County Register
WASHINGTON – A White House letter of support issued Tuesday and comments by the Senate Democratic leader all make it likely that a measure that would virtually eliminate the ability of illegal immigrants to get driver's licenses will be part of the final Iraq supplemental spending bill.
"The administration strongly urges the conferees to include the Real ID Act of 2005 in the final version of the bill," Joshua Bolton, director of the administration's Office of Management and Budget, said in a letter to congressional appropriations leaders. "This important legislation will strengthen the ability of the United States to protect against terrorist entry into and activities within the United States.''
The House's version of the spending bill includes the Real ID Act while the Senate one does not. That and other differences in the measures will be hashed out in a conference committee.
The White House letter came a day after Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid told reporters that there was little chance of preventing the immigration measure from being attached to the Iraq spending bill.
"It's only a question of when," Reid said. "A senator came into my office and said, 'I want to filibuster this,' and I said, 'Get real.' "
Reid's office made it clear Tuesday that he opposes the Real ID Act but wasbeing realistic about the chances of the House agreeing to strip it from its version of the Iraq bill. It would be difficult, aides said, to get the Senate to turn down a spending bill for the troops, even with an immigration measure many oppose.
"We have reached the turning point," Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Huntington Beach, said to the applause and cheers of a group of citizen lobbyists who are spending this week on Capitol Hill, knocking on lawmakers doors calling for a crackdown on illegal immigration.
"Had the Real ID act been in effect prior to 9/11," said Rep. Ed Royce, R-Fullerton, two of the hijackers, including one who piloted the plane that hit the Pentagon, would not have been able to get a driver's license and board a U.S. plane.
While the administration had voiced its support when the Real ID passed the House, opponents of the bill had hoped President George W. Bush would lay low on this matter when it went to a House-Senate conference.
"The president had done a lot to elevate this debate," said Angela Kelley, deputy director of the National Immigration Forum, a pro-immigration group. "For him to turn around and bear hug this set of punitive measures that is going to do nothing to enhance our security is really quite breathtaking."