Press Releases

 This week, Congressman Jason Smith led the entire Missouri Congressional Delegation in calling for continued usage of Missouri driver’s licenses as the state begins the process of compliance with the REAL ID Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-13). 

Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the federal REAL ID Act was signed into law and established stricter standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and created an additional level of security as recommended by the 9/11 Commission.

In December of 2013, the Department of Homeland Security announced that effective January 2018, current Missouri driver’s licenses would no longer be accepted by federal agencies.

Specifically, the Missouri Congressional Delegation, led by Smith, is requesting that the Department of Homeland Security issue a waiver beyond the start of 2018 to continue to allow current Missouri driver’s licenses be used as the state comes in compliance with the federal law.

“Without this extension, Missourians will not be able to fly, access military bases or enter federal buildings with their current driver’s license,” said Congressman Smith.

The Congressional Delegation's request for a waiver is in response to Governor Greitens signing House Bill 151, which allows the Missouri Department of Revenue to start issuing REAL ID compliant driver’s licenses if requested by the ID holder.

“Governor Greitens is giving Missourians the opportunity to get a REAL ID, and on the federal level, we have to make sure the entire state has time to get in compliance with the new standards,” said Congressman Smith.

The Department of Homeland Security has recently issued similar waivers in Maine and Minnesota.

Smith’s letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kelly was co-signed by the entire Missouri Congressional Delegation. Please see attached for a copy of the letter.