Facing a post-pandemic travel surge, the State Department has struggled to address a nearly 40 percent increase in passport application requests since 2022, and now new legislation seeks to update and make the passport process more efficient to cut down on strain.
Introduced by U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA), the Passport Modernization Act, H.R. 5233, proposes a three year, special authority for the Secretary of State to hire passport and visa examining officials. In return, the Secretary would need to provide quarterly reports on processing times, delays and methods used to eliminate any backlog. It would also update the passport system in general and tap the U.S. Government Accountability Office to analyze the National Passport Information Center.
“Despite their best efforts, the State Department is failing to meet the American people’s passport needs,” Carter said. “After a series of meetings, congressional hearings, and oversight letters, it is clear that fundamental reform is necessary to ensure that passport applicants have the communication, certainty, and timeliness they deserve. This bill accomplishes this goal by giving the State Department necessary resources and strengthening oversight of this vital responsibility.”
In terms of updates to the passport system itself, the bill targets modernization of its online filing system, complete with a tool for customers to speak with customer service representatives regarding their application. In all, the bill aims to cut down delays for travelers and ease the pressure on State Department and congressional resources.
Cosponsors of the bill were U.S. Reps.: Zach Nunn (R-IA), Cory Mills (R-FL), Max Miller (R-OH), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR), Daniel Webster (R-FL), Maria Salazar (R-FL), Seth Moulton (D-MA) and Susie Lee (D-NV).