McCaskill, Blunt praise Missouri extension for REAL ID implementation

Missouri Senators Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt praised the decision from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) granting Missouri an extension in the time the state has to comply with new REAL ID requirements. McCaskill and Blunt wrote to DHS Secretary John Kelly in late June encouraging his agency to give Missouri the extension.

“It’s important that Missourians are able to continue business as usual while the state works on transitioning to new IDs,” said McCaskill, the top-ranking Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “I was glad to work with Homeland Security Secretary Kelly and my colleague Senator Blunt in order to help Missouri get this extension.”

“I appreciate Secretary Kelly’s action, which will ensure Missouri families are able to continue traveling and using their IDs at federal facilities while the new law is being implemented,” said Blunt. “I will continue working with Governor Greitens and DHS to ensure a smooth transition.”

The REAL ID Act was passed after 9/11 to increase national security, and new standards under the Act require Missourians and all Americans to have a photo ID that follows certain requirements before boarding airplanes, entering federal buildings and other facilities.