Senate Steps Toward Preventing Air Travel Chaos in 2010

New 'PASS ID' Bill Addresses State Concerns over 'Real ID' Law; Provides Necessary Flexibility for A

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. July 30, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC, July 290, 2009 - Following today's passage of the "PASS ID" legislation (S. 1261) by the U.S. Senate Homeland Security Committee, U.S. Travel Association president and CEO Roger Dow issued the following statement:

"Replacing Real ID requirements with 'PASS ID' will ensure that air travel in 2010 is uninterrupted, as U.S. citizens will be able to board planes with their existing drivers' licenses while states come into compliance with new drivers' license standards.

"U.S Travel thanks the Senate Homeland Security Committee, Chairman Lieberman and Ranking Member Collins for wisely addressing the potential chaos that would result from the Real ID law as it stands. Many U.S. states had rejected Real ID and were unlikely to comply with the national drivers' license requirements. Based on the current law, millions of U.S. travelers would either be barred from boarding U.S. flights or forced to undergo additional screening by TSA.

"We encourage Congress to act quickly in favor of this common sense legislation."

PASS ID legislation was introduced in June by Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI).