Homeland Security to extend ID deadline

WASHINGTON – The Bush administration will give some states more time to bring their driver’s licenses up to the standards required by a new federal law.

Responding to a revolt by governors, state legislators and members of Congress against the new requirements, the Homeland Security Department is planning to issue rules Thursday that will extend the May 2008 deadline set by Congress two years ago.

“There is a provision in the law to permit extensions, which we will of course grant to states that need more time,” Secretary Michael Chertoff told reporters Wednesday.

The law, passed in response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, requires all states to bring their driver’s licenses under a national standard and to link their record-keeping systems.

The administration is issuing the rules at the same time the Senate is considering ordering a two-year extension of the driver’s license deadline as part of its debate over homeland security legislation.

In January the Maine Legislature overwhelmingly passed a resolution objecting to the law, and about a dozen other states have also balked at complying with it. Several are expected to pass laws or adopt resolutions declining to participate.

Since then, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, has introduced a bill to extend the deadline by two years.