2007年VOA标准英语-Privacy Concerns, Cost, Jeopardize Plans For US

By Deborah Tate
Washington
08 May 2007

A key U.S. lawmaker has introduced legislation repealing² a law requiring all 50 states to issue standardized³, tamper-resistant drivers' licenses⁴. The Homeland Security Department says the law will improve national security, but critics say implementing⁶ it could undermine privacy rights and bankrupt state coffers. VOA's Deborah Tate reports from Capitol Hill.

Sample of current U.S.  drivers' licenses, which under federal law must be updated by 2008 to contain a computer microchip loaded with owner's personal information

The law, known as the REAL ID Act, was passed in 2005 by a Republican-led Congress.

It standardized the way states issue drivers' licenses, and established a more robust⁷ verification process for applicants⁸ and tamper-resistant security features, thus making it more difficult for terrorists to fraudulently obtain such identification documents.

But the Congress did not fund the measure. Eight states have enacted⁹ statutes¹⁰ or resolutions opposing implementation¹¹ of the law because they cannot afford to comply with it.

In addition, civil rights groups oppose the measure on grounds it undermines privacy rights.

The Senate Judiciary Committee explored the concerns about the law at a hearing Tuesday. "Increasingly, Vermonters are worried that too much data is being collected about too many things. It is not just a sense that privacy is eroding¹², Vermonters are worried that their identities will be stolen by identity thieves," said Allen Gilbert is executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont.

Jim Harper, director of information policy at the CATO Institute, estimates the cost of implementing the REAL ID program at $23 billion, and says there is little evidence it would boost security. "REAL ID is a loser: it costs more to implement⁵ than it would add to our nation's security protections," he said.

Because of such concerns, the chairman of the committee, Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont, has introduced a bill that would repeal¹ the law, and replace it with a previous system under which federal and state officials would make improvements in how drivers' licenses are issued. "Let's see real solutions, a demonstrable results, before we throw away billions of dollars or more accurately¹³, push those costs on to the states in the name of some vague claims of enhanced security," he said.

But the bipartisan commission that investigated the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States has endorsed¹⁴ the law.

In an article in the Washington Post Tuesday, commission member and former Navy Secretary John Lehman writes that identity security was one of the panel's most important recommendations because the 19 hijackers had 30 state-issued identification documents, at least seven of which were obtained by fraud. He notes that the hijackers used the documents to assimilate into the United States and board planes on that September 11 morning.

Lehman warns that the hijackers could have done the same today, noting that the issuance of multiple identity documents from one or more states is possible because identities are not verified, and that states do not share such information with each other.

It is a point echoed at the hearing by Janice Kephart, who was a staff member of the 9/11 Commission and is now a consultant¹⁵ on border security. "Not implementing REAL ID simply keeps us right where we are, which is vulnerable," she said.

Kephart played down privacy concerns about the new standardized drivers' licenses, as did James Carafano, a research fellow at the Heritage Foundation. "It is not a national identity card. It does not create new data bases. It does not give the federal government more information about our citizens than it has now."

Supporters of the REAL ID program said Congress was wrong not to fund the measure in 2005, and they called on lawmakers to do so now.

1 repeal   

n.废止，撤消；v.废止，撤消

参考例句：

• He plans to repeal a number of current policies.他计划废除一些当前的政策。
• He has made out a strong case for the repeal of the law.他提出强有力的理由，赞成废除该法令。

2 repealing   

撤销，废除( repeal的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• In addition, repealing the alternative minimum tax would also help. 此外，废除替代性最低税也会有所帮助。
• Repealing the investment tax credit. 取消投资税款扣除。

3 standardized   

adj.标准化的

参考例句：

• We use standardized tests to measure scholastic achievement. 我们用标准化考试来衡量学生的学业成绩。
• The parts of an automobile are standardized. 汽车零件是标准化了的。

4 licenses   

n.执照( license的名词复数 )v.批准，许可，颁发执照( license的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Drivers have ten days' grace to renew their licenses. 驾驶员更换执照有10天的宽限期。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Jewish firms couldn't get import or export licenses or raw materials. 犹太人的企业得不到进出口许可证或原料。 来自辞典例句

5 implement   

n.(pl.)工具，器具；vt.实行，实施，执行

参考例句：

• Don't undertake a project unless you can implement it.不要承担一项计划，除非你能完成这项计划。
• The best implement for digging a garden is a spade.在花园里挖土的最好工具是铁锹。

6 implementing   

v.实现( implement的现在分词 )；执行；贯彻；使生效

参考例句：

• -- Implementing a comprehensive drug control strategy. ――实行综合治理的禁毒战略。 来自汉英非文学 - 白皮书
• He was in no hurry about implementing his unshakable principle. 他并不急于实行他那不可动摇的原则。 来自辞典例句

7 robust   

adj.强壮的，强健的，粗野的，需要体力的，浓的

参考例句：

• She is too tall and robust.她个子太高，身体太壮。
• China wants to keep growth robust to reduce poverty and avoid job losses,AP commented.美联社评论道，中国希望保持经济强势增长，以减少贫困和失业状况。

8 applicants   

申请人，求职人( applicant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There were over 500 applicants for the job. 有500多人申请这份工作。
• He was impressed by the high calibre of applicants for the job. 求职人员出色的能力给他留下了深刻印象。

9 enacted   

制定（法律），通过（法案）( enact的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• legislation enacted by parliament 由议会通过的法律
• Outside in the little lobby another scene was begin enacted. 外面的小休息室里又是另一番景象。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹

10 statutes   

成文法( statute的名词复数 )； 法令； 法规； 章程

参考例句：

• The numerous existing statutes are complicated and poorly coordinated. 目前繁多的法令既十分复杂又缺乏快调。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法
• Each agency is also restricted by the particular statutes governing its activities. 各个机构的行为也受具体法令限制。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法

11 implementation   

n.实施，贯彻

参考例句：

• Implementation of the program is now well underway.这一项目的实施现在行情看好。

12 eroding   

侵蚀，腐蚀( erode的现在分词 )； 逐渐毁坏，削弱，损害

参考例句：

• The coast is slowly eroding. 海岸正慢慢地被侵蚀。
• Another new development is eroding the age-old stereotype of the male warrior. 另一个新现象是，久已形成的男人皆武士的形象正逐渐消失。

13 accurately   

adv.准确地，精确地

参考例句：

• It is hard to hit the ball accurately.准确地击中球很难。
• Now scientists can forecast the weather accurately.现在科学家们能准确地预报天气。

14 endorsed   

vt.& vi.endorse的过去式或过去分词形式v.赞同( endorse的过去式和过去分词 )；在（尤指支票的）背面签字；在（文件的）背面写评论；在广告上说本人使用并赞同某产品

参考例句：

• The committee endorsed an initiative by the chairman to enter discussion about a possible merger. 委员会通过了主席提出的新方案，开始就可能进行的并购进行讨论。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The government has broadly endorsed a research paper proposing new educational targets for 14-year-olds. 政府基本上支持建议对14 岁少年实行新教育目标的研究报告。 来自《简明英汉词典》

15 consultant   

n.顾问；会诊医师，专科医生

参考例句：

• He is a consultant on law affairs to the mayor.他是市长的一个法律顾问。
• Originally,Gar had agreed to come up as a consultant.原来，加尔只答应来充当我们的顾问。