Twenty years later, the REAL ID deadline is here. Here's why it took so long

The REAL ID deadline, intended to address security concerns stemming from 9/11, has been nearly two decades in the making due to political delays within Congress. Initial concerns about state-issued driver's licenses were raised after incidents like the Oklahoma City bombings in 1995, leading to slow progress on the law's implementation. Despite its recent passage, many states remain in compliance with REAL ID requirements, resulting in ongoing discussions about its impact.