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Rep. Bilirakis Expresses Concern with Passport Backlog |
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June 11, 2007
WASHINGTON -
Today U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) expressed his concern about new passport
rules that have significantly reduced the speed of passport processing. These
new rules, affecting American travel in the Western
Hemisphere, has caused a processing backlog leaving many Americans
with incredibly long wait times and the prospect of even having to cancel their
summer travel plans.
"Since February, my office has
personally intervened on behalf of more than 100 cases for constituents caught
in the current passport backlog," said Bilirakis. "Although I strongly support
the new passport rules, it is important that they are implemented in a manner
that does not negatively impact citizens seeking to travel. These delays in
passport processing are evidence that more work needs to be done to ready the
system before moving forward."
Today, the federal government
announced a temporary relaxation of these new passport regulations. Bilirakis
did express confidence in the Administration's recent steps to work toward
remedying the problem.
"I am pleased that the
federal government is being responsive to the needs of Americans during this
busy summer travel season," said Bilirakis. "This adjustment will allow many
other Americans to enjoy their family vacations, while the government works on
fixing this problem. As a member of both the House Homeland Security and
Foreign Affairs Committees, I intend to keep a close eye on this situation."
The federal government's
announcement that it will be relaxing its new passport rules informs U.S.
citizens who have applied for, but not yet received passports and are traveling
to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be allowed to enter and
leave from the United States by air provided that they present a government
issued photo identification and Department of State official proof of
application for a passport.
This accommodation lasts
until September 30, 2007. Travelers with pending passport
applications can obtain proof of application at: http://travel.state.gov.
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