Sen. Jim Abeler (R-Anoka)
Spirited debate as the Minnesota Senate this afternoon passed a controversial bill to make Minnesota drivers licenses comply with federal REAL ID requirements. Opponents of REAL ID warn of increasing federal government access to citizens’ personal information. Anoka Republican Jim Abeler says “This law, in the name of protecting us,… is a horrible law.” Abeler says people in Minnesota and across the country should rise up and demand that Congress repeal it. Some backers of the bill also express reservations about it, but say unless the state complies, Minnesotans might no longer be able to use their drivers license to board commercial flights. Opponents say there are other options, including currently-available enhanced drivers licenses.