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WASHINGTON—U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park, Fla., today urged Floridians to be aware of new identification standards for airline passengers that are scheduled to take effect this fall. In a video message, Murphy urged constituents to make sure they have a driver’s license or identification card that complies with new federal requirements—known as REAL ID—or that they have another acceptable form of identification. Otherwise, they will not be able to pass through airport security starting on Oct. 1, 2020.

Separately, Murphy called on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to take all reasonable steps to ensure that implementation of REAL ID does not hinder domestic tourism to Florida or the ability of Florida residents to travel to other parts of the country. Murphy expressed concern that implementation of REAL ID could significantly impact Florida, which is a year-round tourist destination, the state with the highest percentage of senior citizens, and home to millions of non-native English speakers.

“Infrequent flyers, seniors, and non-English speakers are more likely to be unaware of the changing identification requirements. The 20 percent of Florida residents who are over age 65 could face substantial hurdles to coming into REAL ID compliance,” wrote Murphy in her letter to Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf. “Older Americans who are turned away by TSA officials due to REAL ID noncompliance might not be able to make alternative arrangements to get to their destinations and might be discouraged from booking air travel again. All of these factors should be considered by DHS as REAL ID implementation procedures are finalized leading up to October 1st.”

Passed by Congress in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the REAL ID Act increased minimum security standards for state-issued identification cards and prohibited federal agencies from allowing airline passengers with noncompliant driver’s licenses and identification cards to board an airplane. It is estimated that nearly 100 million Americans do not currently possess an acceptable form of identification, namely a REAL ID license, U.S. passport, U.S. military ID, or a DHS trusted traveler card. Murphy and Congresswoman Debbie Lesko, R-Ariz., have introduced bipartisan legislation to allow domestic airline travelers to use TSA PreCheck as an alternative to Real ID.

Murphy’s letter can be found here and below. To download broadcast-quality video of Murphy’s remarks, click here. To watch or embed video, click here.

The Honorable Chad F. Wolf
Acting Secretary
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, D.C. 20528

Dear Acting Secretary Wolf:

As a Member of Congress from Florida, I write regarding the REAL ID Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-13).  Implementation of this law, currently scheduled for October 1, 2020, will require Americans to present a REAL ID-compliant license or other acceptable form of identification to pass through airport security.  I am concerned that implementation could significantly impact Florida, which is a year-round tourist destination, the state with the highest percentage of senior citizens, and home to millions of non-native English speakers.  I urge the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to take all reasonable steps to prevent or mitigate any negative consequences for domestic travel to and from the state.

It is estimated that nearly 100 million Americans do not currently possess an acceptable form of identification, such as a REAL ID license, U.S. passport, U.S. military ID, or a DHS trusted traveler card that can be used to fly starting on October 1^st.  This is especially worrisome because DHS has indicated that travelers who arrive at the airport without a REAL ID license or an acceptable alternative will be turned away from the checkpoint and not be allowed through security to board their flights.

While I am encouraged by reports that DHS will permit states to allow applicants for a REAL ID license to submit supporting documents electronically, which will streamline the process, I believe additional steps can be taken.  For example, Rep. Debbie Lesko and I recently introduced bipartisan legislation (H.R. 5827) that would allow domestic airline travelers to use TSA PreCheck as an alternative to Real ID.  The bill also requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to develop a plan to allow individuals without REAL ID to board airplanes subject to heightened security or verification procedures.  This is one proposal that could help address the looming challenges associated with REAL ID implementation.

Florida’s 18 commercial airports welcomed over 90 million domestic passengers in 2019.  If a meaningful percentage of Florida-bound airline passengers cannot board their flights, the repercussions for Florida’s economy would be serious.  Out-of-state visitors annually contribute about $85 billion dollars to Florida’s economy and sustain about 1.5 million jobs in the state.  Therefore, DHS should consider how implementation of REAL ID will impact states like Florida whose prosperity is highly reliant on the smooth movement of travelers.

Floridians flying outbound to other U.S. states and territories will also be affected by implementation of the REAL ID Act.  Infrequent flyers, seniors, and non-English speakers are more likely to be unaware of the changing identification requirements.  The 20 percent of Florida residents who are over age 65 could face substantial hurdles to coming into REAL ID compliance.  Older Americans who are turned away by TSA officials due to REAL ID noncompliance might not be able to make alternative arrangements to get to their destinations and might be discouraged from booking air travel again.  All of these factors should be considered by DHS as REAL ID implementation procedures are finalized leading up to October 1^st.

Below is a list of questions for DHS to consider as you implement the REAL ID Act:

1. Does DHS have any criteria, such as REAL ID compliance rates and public awareness levels of the upcoming enforcement deadline, to determine whether an extension of REAL ID enforcement beyond October 1, 2020 might be needed in order to avoid significant air travel disruptions and associated economic harm? 
2. Does DHS intend to develop alternative screening procedures for airline passengers, especially older Americans and families, arriving at the airport without a REAL ID license or acceptable alternative identification beginning October 1, 2020?
3. What plans does DHS have regarding TSA agent training to handle language barriers that might arise at security checkpoints when a passenger is turned away for non-compliant REAL ID credentials?
4. Has DHS considered implementing a significant, multi-lingual public education campaign to notify present-day airline passengers who are not in REAL ID compliance that their ID, while currently valid, will be insufficient for airline travel starting October 1, 2020?
5. Has DHS worked with the Social Security Administration and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to conduct outreach to older Americans about forthcoming implementation of REAL ID?
6. Has DHS consulted with the travel industry to determine whether the inability to board an aircraft due to REAL ID noncompliance could qualify for travel insurance?