Repeal the REAL ID Act of 2005

Why it Matters

URGENT: Although the Real ID Act has gone into effect, it’s not too late for Congress to repeal this draconian and unconstitutional law. Article I of the U.S. Constitution declares, “All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States.” Accordingly, Congress can, and should, repeal every unconstitutional federal law.

Congress must repeal the Real ID Act of 2005. This law, unenforced until May 7, 2025, requires Americans to have Real ID-compliant identification to board domestic flights or enter federal buildings. Kristi Noem, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, has spearheaded the implementation of this unconstitutional federal law.

This de facto national ID card enables widespread surveillance and undermines state sovereignty, threatening the constitutional liberties of every American.

At least 25 states initially enacted legislation nullifying Real ID, but were coerced into compliance through threats to withhold federal funding. This federal mandate burdens states with financial and administrative costs while prioritizing Deep State surveillance over constitutional principles. Representative Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) noted in a post on X, Real ID is a tool for control, not security:

Real ID isn’t needed and won’t stop terrorists from hijacking planes. Most of the 9/11 hijackers held Saudi, UAE, Egyptian, or Lebanese passports. Real ID is a national standard and database of IDs that is primarily a tool for control of Americans. Trump shouldn’t enforce it.

Former Representative Ron Paul (R-Texas) opposed the Real ID Act in 2005, warning that it would create a mandatory national ID:

With the utmost sincerity and the deep conviction, I am quite confident that this bill, if you vote for it you will be voting for a national ID card. And I know some will argue against that, and they say this is voluntary, but it really cant be voluntary if a state opts out nobody’s going to accept their drivers license, so this is not voluntary.

Congress overstepped its constitutional bounds by passing the Real ID Act in 2005, imposing federal standards on state-issued driver’s licenses. This legislation exceeds Congress’s authority under Article I, Section 8 and violates the Tenth Amendment, which reserves powers such as ID issuance to the states.

Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution enumerates the specific powers of Congress, and it does not include the authority to mandate a national ID. The Tenth Amendment reserves this issue to the states. Repealing Real ID would stop an unconstitutional federal mandate and protect states and American citizens from an intrusive surveillance state.

Defenders of the Constitution must lead the charge to introduce legislation to repeal the Real ID Act of 2005. By repealing it, lawmakers would stop an unaccountable federal mandate that prioritizes control over liberty. Restore constitutional adherence, stop federal coercion of states, and uphold state authority and individual privacy.

Contact your U.S. representative and senators, and urge them to introduce and support legislation to repeal the Real ID Act.