Lynch receives letter from federal government postponing Real ID

CONCORD, N.H.—New Hampshire Governor John Lynch has received a letter from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security stating the federal government has agreed to postpone imposing Real ID requirements on New Hampshire citizens.

Lynch sent a letter to Homeland Security officials last month requesting that the Department not impose Real ID requirements on New Hampshire residents.

Last year, Lynch signed legislation prohibiting New Hampshire from participating in the federal Real ID system.

Senator John Sununu, who is opposed to any form of a national ID card, says New Hampshire and numerous other states have proven that they take this issue seriously and are capable of addressing this national security concern without intrusive and unfunded federal mandates.

New Hampshire now joins the 47 other states that have been granted extension through December 31, 2009. This extension ensures that New Hampshire citizens will still be allowed to use their existing drivers licenses for federal purposes, including boarding federally regulated aircraft, until 2010.