Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 3 o'clock and 45 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until Monday, March 7, 2005, at noon.

Mr. Speaker, I was absent on February 16, 2005 due to the funeral of a close friend. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall No. 35.

Mr. Speaker, I was absent on February 17, 2005 due to the funeral of a close friend. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on Rollcall No. 38.

Mr. Speaker, on September 11 terrorists struck the heart of the American people. By infiltrating our country and living among us, these enemies were able to plot and execute an attack on thousands of innocent Americans. It is imperative they do not have that opportunity again.

Driver's licenses are the primary identification document in the United States, yet 11 States, including my home State, Washington, do not require applicants to provide proof they are in the country legally to obtain IDs. The 9/11 Commission report states: ``For terrorists, travel documents are as important as weapons.''

These gaps in the system are critical loopholes. With a driver's license, the wrong person can then go on to purchase a firearm, rent a car, and board a plane.

Mr. Speaker, as a former law enforcement officer of over 33 years, I can speak firsthand to the danger of firearms in the wrong hands. We do not need to make it easier for the terrorists to get weapons. I urge my colleagues to vote for the REAL ID Act today and take another stop to a more secure Nation.