Congress passes REAL ID Act, establishing federal ID standards

Congress passes the REAL ID Act, implementing 9/11 Commission recommendations to establish minimum security standards for state-issued driver licenses and identification cards. The legislation mandates states to incorporate specific security features, verify documents, and standardize address formats. Federal agencies including TSA may only accept REAL ID-compliant licenses for official purposes such as boarding aircraft and accessing federal facilities. DHS receives authority to enforce compliance and determine which states meet standards. States face incentives to comply voluntarily.