Congress demands progress on advanced ID cards (FCW)
"We've spent billions and we have nothing to show for it," said Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) at a June 19 hearing addressing lagging implementation of fingerprint and iris recognition technology. Mica, who chairs the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee's Subcommittee on Government Operations, noted various examples of flawed federal biometric ID efforts, including the Transportation Workers Identification Credential, or TWIC card, and the Federal Aviation Administration's new pilot's license -- which does not include a photo of the licensee.It's stunning that pilots licenses still don't have photographs on them. Lots of good information awaits those who click the link.
"It's mind boggling that we have nothing close to meeting with the intent of the 2004 law," said Mica. "Is there any sense of urgency here?" asked Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), the subcommittee's ranking minority member.
Witnesses included managers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, FAA, Customs and Border Protection and the State Department.
