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Posted: Thursday, March 13th, 2008 5:08 AM HST

Senators ask feds to scrap Real ID deadline

By Associated Press

HELENA, Mont. (AP) _ Hawaii Senator Daniel Akaka has joined a number of colleagues in opposition to a May eleventh deadline for compliance with federal Real ID rules. Akaka and the others sent a letter today to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. They asked him to scrap the deadline or answer their questions about the process. Two of the other senators are Jon Tester and Max Baucus of Montana. It is one of just a few states that have refused to seek an extension to identification rules. Homeland Security says residents from noncompliant states could face extra screenings at airports and federal buildings. The senators told Chertoff the deadline is ``arbitrary and ineffective'' and imposes unnecessary burdens without enhancing national security. (Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved)