REAL ID Deadline Sparks Debate: GOP Lawmaker Slams Federal Travel Requirement as Unnecessary

The clock is ticking for Americans to get their REAL IDs by the May 7 deadline, but not everyone is convinced this federal security measure is worth the hassle.

Rep. Eric Burlison, a Republican from Missouri, didn’t mince words: he thinks the REAL ID is more of a headache than a help. “I personally don't support the REAL ID. I think that it's unnecessary in keeping us safe,” Burlison said, criticizing what he sees as yet another way government makes life harder for ordinary citizens. Missouri made it "very easy" for residents to comply, he added—though he’s clearly not a fan of the whole idea.

For those who forgot, the REAL ID Act was born from the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations and became law back in 2005. But here's the plot twist: all the 9/11 terrorists had passports, not just state IDs, so Burlison questions if this law actually closes any real security gaps. It's like locking the windows after the burglars came in through the front door.

The final implementation has been delayed more times than your average DMV appointment—most recently pushed back in 2022—but the May 7 deadline is supposedly set in stone. Once it hits, you’ll need a REAL ID (or a passport, or military ID) to board domestic flights or access certain federal facilities. If you’ve got a passport, you’re set, and you don’t technically need a REAL ID at all.

The Trump administration argued that enforcing REAL ID supports their efforts to crack down on illegal immigration. But with the deadline looming, DMVs are in chaos, lines are out the door, and some states have even set up pop-up locations in airports to keep up with the demand.

The TSA has confirmed it’ll be strictly enforcing the new law. “Beginning on May 7, passengers will need a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification to fly, like a passport or military ID. Noncompliant passengers may expect wait times or additional measures at airports. If you are an illegal alien without a REAL ID, the only way you will be permitted to fly is if you are self-deporting,” said a TSA spokesperson. Ouch—talk about tough love at 30,000 feet.