Among other things, the Real ID Act sets minimum security criteria that states would have to meet to have their driver's licenses accepted as identification to board a commercial flight or enter federal facilities.

Representative last serving California's 24th congressional district and previously the 23rd and 21st serving in Congress from 1987 to 2013. S. California election law though makes it clear that a candidate's name can only be withdrawn in the case of their death and as a result that Gallegly's name would have to remain on the ballot.

S. Gallegly announced on January 5 2012 that he would not be seeking re-election.