Last week, members of the Florida congressional delegation threw their support behind U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter’s, R-Ga., “Passport Modernization Act.”
Carter introduced the bill and offered some of the reasons why he thought it was needed.
“The State Department is experiencing a post-pandemic travel surge, with a nearly 40 percent increase in passport application requests since 2022. This boom is overwhelming both State Department and congressional resources, causing unworkable and frustrating delays for travelers. The Passport Modernization Act will enable the State Department to better serve the American people by increasing staff, updating the online passport system, and increasing congressional oversight,” Carter’s office noted.
“Despite their best efforts, the State Department is failing to meet the American people’s passport needs. 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,” said Carter.
Ten House members are co-sponsoring the bill, including U.S. Reps. Cory Mills, R-Fla., Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., and Daniel Webster, R-Fla. Other backers include U.S. Reps. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., and Adam Schiff, D-Calif.
“Hundreds of my constituents contact my office every day with the same issue – it takes way too long to get a new passport,” said Salazar. “This bill will bring these wait times down immediately by hiring new staff, modernizing our system, and getting the State Department back on track.”
The bill was sent to the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee. So far, there is no companion measure over in the U.S. Senate.
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