Ethan Ackerman on politics behind Real ID and the immigration bill [priv]

Previous Politech message:
http://www.politechbot.com/2007/06/28/senate-backs-away/

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [Politech] Senate backs away from Real ID Act (but federal 
database of 'employables' seems assured)
Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2007 10:43:28 -0400
From: Ethan Ackerman <eackerma <at> u.washington.edu>
To: Declan McCullagh <declan <at> well.com>

Great translations of the legislative process, Declan!

Citizens concerned about the Real ID and 'government approval before
being employable' provisions in the Senate immigration bill may want
to follow closely votes on 3 amendments you've helpfully collected and
linked to - the Baucus-Tester, Baucus-Grassley-Obama, and Schumer
amendments. Votes will likely happen today and tomorrow.

But it is worth noting that NONE of these amendments substantially
alters a central part of this immigration bill - mandatory employment
verification of ALL US employees against a federal database.
(Baucus-Grassley-Obama arguably lengthens time and gives more appeals
rights for those faced with inevitable errors, but even this amendment
still mandates universal employment verification.)

Briefly, Baucus-Tester strips Real ID references and prevents funding
of real ID to states, throttling but not outright repealing the
program.

Baucus-Grassley-Obama replaces the Real ID references in the