U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Secretary Chertoff has given Maine two more days – just two more days before we……. well , before we…huh, I’m not sure what he is going to do us, but anyway he is really serious this time.

The Department of Homeland Security is giving Maine a couple of extra days to make its decision on Real ID.

According to a DHS statement:

Following lengthy discussions today with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, Senator Susan Collins, who is Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, announced that Maine will have two additional days to apply for a REAL ID extension. Secretary Chertoff agreed to Senator Collins' request to give the state until 5 PM on Wednesday, April 2nd to respond.

The Maine Legislature passed a resolution last year barring the state from participating in a national ID program. Pursuant to the resolution Maine will not make a request for an extension in meeting Real ID standards, according to Gov. John Baldacci’s office.