Bill Overview
Title: IDs for an Inclusive Democracy Act
Description: This bill directs the Social Security Administration (SSA) to produce and make available at no cost to certain individuals in the United States an identification (ID) for the purpose of allowing such individuals to satisfy ID requirements. Such ID must include a photograph and specified information, as well as security features. It shall be valid for a 10-year period. To receive an ID, an individual must be at least 14 years of age. The SSA must develop and implement a campaign to educate the public with respect to the ID, including how an individual can receive and use it. The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) must develop and implement a process that enables individuals to apply for the ID through the USPS, including a process for a first-time ID and renewal, modeled after the process for passport applications. The bill establishes a Task Force on Federal Identification Cards for the purpose of determining the requirements to produce and make available the ID. The task force shall (1) issue a report on the requirements, including a requirement that the SSA and the USPS establish procedures to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of any information obtained with respect to individuals who seek assistance in obtaining the ID; and (2) develop and publish recommendations for voluntary best practices for nonprofit organizations and entities that provide services to vulnerable populations with respect to how such organizations and entities can assist individuals to obtain the ID.
Sponsors: Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals globally who lack or have difficulty obtaining government-issued ID
Estimated Size: 20000000
- The bill aims to issue identification cards through the SSA to individuals 14 years or older in the U.S.
- This ID is designed to assist individuals who may lack other forms of government identification.
- Vulnerable populations that may lack identification include low-income individuals, homeless individuals, and certain immigrant groups.
- The bill is primarily focused on U.S. residents, particularly those who face barriers to obtaining traditional forms of identification.
Reasoning
- The policy is likely to impact young adults, especially those from low-income or immigrant families who might lack government-issued IDs.
- This policy will likely not affect middle- to high-income individuals who already have identification as the target group is individuals who lack them.
- The availability of free identification can significantly improve participation in civic activities like voting, accessing public services, and applying for jobs and housing.
- Implementation cost constraints will likely mean prioritizing certain high-need areas or populations initially.
- Cost concerns mean that even though 20 million could theoretically benefit, the actual reach in Year 1 project execution could be limited to a fraction of this number depending on rollout efficiency and campaign effectiveness.
- Long-term benefits could include better economic opportunities for current marginalized communities.
- Nonprofits will play a crucial role in reaching out and assisting with ID applications, especially in rural or hard-to-reach locations.
Simulated Interviews
High School Student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 17 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think having a free ID will be very helpful for me. I was worried about how I would get an official ID once I turn 18 and have to vote or apply for college.
- This means less financial pressure on my family since we already struggle to make ends meet.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Construction Worker (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this ID could open new doors for me, especially legally being able to apply for certain jobs or renting an apartment.
- It's nice to not have to worry about the cost, because money is already tight.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Unemployed (Rural Alabama)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I need an ID to apply for jobs and get back on my feet. This program is exactly what I need.
- It would help if there were more local centers to apply or if I could apply by mail or online.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
NGO Worker (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 38 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could really help the people I work with daily.
- However, the SSA and USPS need to ensure there are robust systems to protect clients' information.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Retired (Miami, FL)
Age: 72 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A free ID would mean I can finally do simple things like open a bank account or easily verify my identity for healthcare.
- This should have been available years ago.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Freelancer (New York, NY)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Although I have an ID, many people I know would benefit, which might reduce some stress on the community and myself when supporting them.
- Happy to see targeted support for vulnerable groups.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Mechanic (Detroit, MI)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This ID could make life easier, especially with things like credit applications or new jobs.
- Not sure how USPS is going to manage the extra workload.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Caretaker (Houston, TX)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Getting an ID for my parents would ease so much stress; I won't have to take long trips to ID offices.
- A mail-in form would be fantastic, fingers crossed it gets included.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
College Student (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 19 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't need this ID as I already have a driver's license, but I appreciate the impact it can have on others.
- I think it'll be interesting to see how this plays out in terms of voting accessibility.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Barista (Seattle, WA)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having this free ID would save me from the expense of a state-issued ID since I'm not from Washington.
- This will be really beneficial until I can afford my passport.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $300000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $350000000)
Year 2: $400000000 (Low: $350000000, High: $450000000)
Year 3: $300000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $350000000)
Year 5: $300000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $350000000)
Year 10: $300000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $350000000)
Year 100: $300000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $350000000)
Key Considerations
- The SSA and USPS will need significant initial investments in technology and staff training for new processes.
- Security features on the IDs must be robust enough to prevent counterfeiting but also cost-effective.
- Collaboration with state governments may be necessary to avoid redundancy with state-level ID programs.
- The public education campaign should be inclusive, covering multiple languages and accessible formats.