Senate Republican Leader Questions Democratic Motives for REAL ID Press Conference

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEBRUARY 20, 2007

AUGUSTA – On Tuesday, Democratic Congressman Tom Allen, flanked by Democratic legislators from both the Maine Senate and House of Representatives, organized and performed a press conference to praise Maine’s opposition to REAL ID.  Despite bipartisan opposition to REAL ID among Republican and Democratic legislators alike, no Republican legislators were informed of the event by the Legislature’s majority party, or Congressman Allen’s office, which had spearheaded the event.

The State of Maine has been an early opponent of REAL ID.  A resolution opposing the program, which was co-sponsored by Republican Representative Scott Lansley, earned nearly unanimous support in both chambers of the Legislature.  Although a Republican had a lead role in opposing the program, and the joint Republican caucus in the Legislature expressed their opposition as well, Congressman Allen denied Republicans an opportunity to stand alongside their Democratic colleagues to oppose REAL ID.

Senate Republican Leader Carol Weston, of Montville, was discouraged by the Congressman’s display of politicking.  “If Congressman Allen came back to Maine to praise the Legislature for uniting against REAL ID, then why would he specifically and purposefully ignore Republicans?” Sen. Weston asked.  “The Congressman was surely aware that the resolution opposing REAL ID was co-sponsored by a Republican, and earned nearly unanimous support among Republicans in the Legislature.  Actions speak louder than words, and this demonstration, coordinated by Congressman Allen, and sanctioned by the majority party in the Legislature, looks more like a Senate campaign stop.”

CONTACT:

William Thompson                    287-1505 (o)
Communications Director, Senate Republican Office

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