mr. speaker , today i rise in support of the rule for the emergency supplemental appropriations act and the underlying bill . 
in addition to the needed funds to sustain military operations and reconstruction efforts in the middle east , this legislation contains two key provisions that i would like to highlight . 
the first is language that ensures that funds in the bill will not be used to cancel the multiyear contract for c-130j procurement . 
currently more than half the fleet of combat-ready c-130s is over 30 years old . 
although their longevity is clearly a testament to the value of these critical aircraft , we should be very concerned that the c-130e and h models continue to age at alarming rates , putting our tactical airlift capability at risk in the near term . 
in fact , several weeks ago , the air force announced that they are grounding much of the c-130e models because of severe fatigue in their wings , including a dozen that have been flying missions in and out of iraq and afghanistan . 
mr. speaker , some of these planes were used in vietnam , and we are literally flying their wings off in the middle east . 
the air force has long anticipated the aging of the older models , which only makes it more remarkable that the multiyear contract to replace these planes has been carved out of the 2006 budget . 
mr. speaker , because of the growing problem that the air force faces in its tactical airlift program , i support the c-130j language , and i would like to express my sincere thanks to the appropriations chairman , the gentleman from california ( mr. lewis ) xz4002392 , and the conferees for retaining this language . 
mr. speaker , i would also like to thank the conferees for protecting the real id provisions of h.r. 1268 . 
as our rules committee chairman , the gentleman from california ( mr. dreier ) xz4001150 , just mentioned , this would establish and rapidly implement voluntarily regulations for state driver 's licenses and identification document security standards . 
it would increase the burden of proof of claiming asylum . 
it would synchronize terrorism-related grounds for inadmissibility and removal , and also facilitate the completion of the san diego border fence . 
these provisions were recommended by the 9/11 commission , bipartisan , 10 members ; and they are important for securing our borders from illegal entry and possible terrorist activity . 
our immigration laws are in need of reform , and i believe these provisions are a positive step in the right direction . 
so i urge my colleagues to support the rule and the underlying bill . 
