F. James Sensenbrenner, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Fifth District, Wisconsin

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives today voted 368 to 58 to approve the conference report "Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2005, and for other purposes," which included the REAL ID bill.

This REAL ID legislation was introduced by House Judiciary Committee Chairman F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-WI), whose office today issued a press release announcing "House Gives Final Approval to REAL ID Legislation—Senate Expected to Pass Next Week":

"WASHINGTON, D.C. - The House today by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 368-to-58 approved legislation that includes the REAL ID legislation introduced by House Judiciary Committee Chairman F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-Wis.).  The Senate is expected to approve this legislation next week.

       "The REAL ID contains vital border security provisions approved earlier by the House by a 261-to-161 margin.  Chairman Sensenbrenner delivered the following statement during today's House floor debate:

        "'Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for yielding and thank him for his hard work on this conference report.  As many in this chamber know, this conference report contains the provisions of the REAL ID Act, which I authored and the House overwhelmingly approved earlier this year.

           "'The sensible reforms contained in this legislation are long overdue and will make Americans safer.  These provisions will hamper the ability of terrorist and criminal aliens to move freely throughout our society by requiring that all states require proof of lawful presence in the U.S. for their drivers' licenses to be accepted as identification for federal purposes such as boarding a commercial airplane, entering a federal building, or a nuclear power plant.  This legislation will also require a temporary driver's license issued to a foreign visitor to expire when their visa expires, with a maximum term of one year.

        "'This legislation will also prevent the ability of potentially dangerous aliens to show up under false pretenses on our shores and be granted safe haven, while simultaneously protecting those who are legitimately fleeing persecution.  Finally, this legislation will also ensure that the security and integrity of our border are not imperiled by endless, frivolous litigation.

           "'I would also note that there are several immigration-related provisions included in this conference report by the other body that enjoy broad support in the House.  One will provide that aliens who have received H-2B visas - issued to work in temporary or seasonal jobs - in any of the last three years shall not be counted toward the 2005 or 2006 quotas when applying for an H-2B during the next 2 years.  Another amendment expands immigrant visas available for aliens to serve as nurses or physical therapists.

          "'I want to thank the House Leadership, the White House, and many Members of both chambers who rightly recognized the importance of the REAL ID Act and supported its inclusion in this conference report.'"

To access the complete text of the "REAL ID Act of 2005," taken directly from the "Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2005, and for other purposes" bill, the conference report on which was passed today by the U.S. House of Representatives on a 368 to 58 vote, click here.