1.  Who is Michael Chertoff?

2.  a) Define mandate.
b)  What did the REAL ID Act of 2005 mandate?
c)  What new deadline has been set by the Department of Homeland Security for states to comply with the law?

3.  a) Under the REAL ID Act, what will a person applying for driver's licenses have to do, according to Mr. Chertoff?
b)  How will the REAL ID Act help make the U.S. more secure?  Be specific.

4.  What problem does libertarian Cato Institute have with the Act, according to Jim Harper?

5.  How did Dan Verton, founder of Homeland Defense Week (now known as Homeland Security Television), defend the REAL ID Act?

6.  For what reasons does the ACLU oppose the REAL ID Act?

7.  In response to concerns about the Act, Mr. Chertoff said:

"Most of these objections are really grounded in misinformation. I think that at the end of the day there is no argument in favor of insecure identification."  He also noted that the program will not create a national database and "the steps that we are taking will protect privacy rather than degrade and impair privacy." (para. 20-21)

Do you support or oppose the REAL ID Act?  Explain your answer.  Then discuss your position with a classmate.  Is your support for your position legitimate?

• Read arguments against the REAL ID Act at the (libertarian) Cato's website here.
• Read arguments for the REAL ID Act at the (conservative) Heritage Foundation's website here.