ID delays: 9/11 Commission recommendations are tough sells.

• Author: Magnuson, Stew
• Position: SECURITY BEAT: HOMELAND DEFENSE BRIEFS

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* The implementation of two of the 9/11 Commission's recommendations in strengthening the verification of individuals' identities are getting pushed back.

Slipped in among the massive omnibus spending bill Congress passed at the end of 2007 was an amendment delaying the controversial Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative rule that requires passports or other identification for those traveling between Canada and Mexico.

Previously, those traveling to those nations were going to be required to show a passport, or some other officially recognized identification, proving citizenship beginning Jan. 31. That has now been pushed back to June 1, 2008.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, was among the lawmakers who pushed for the delay.

"It is important that we strike a balance between the security of our nation's borders and the free flow of commerce and travel to and from the United States," she said in a statement.

The controversial requirement caused consternation, especially on the northern border, where citizens were accustomed to giving a verbal declaration of citizenship. The policy created a backlog of passport applications at the State Department. The initiative earlier implemented rules requiring passports for those arriving by air.

But land crossings are different, Collins pointed out. "For many Maine residents, quick and easy border crossing is critical in order to access essential services, to travel to their jobs, to attend church, and to visit...