Congressman Dennis Cardoza
18th Congressional District of California

 

“My office has received countless calls about passport delays. Having to wait five months in extreme cases for a passport before leaving the country is unacceptable,” said Cardoza. “This commonsense bill makes the process more efficient.”

 

Passport requests skyrocketed following the implementation of a new law requiring Americans traveling by air to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda to hold a passport. The increase has resulted in significant delays causing many to wait months to receive a passport and ruining travel plans.

 

The Passport Backlog Reduction Act gives the State Department the authority to hire retired former staffers who are trained and authorized to process passport applications. Current law denies retirement benefits to these retirees if they exceed strict wages earned and hours worked caps. The legislation approved by the House waives these requirements and makes it possible for the retired workers to return to work and help ease the passport shortage.

 

Over the last six months Congressman Cardoza’s office has assisted hundreds of constituents with passport related issues created by the backlog. In June Mr. Cardoza wrote to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice demanding that her department reconcile the backlog of passport applications quickly. 

 

Mr. Cardoza’s office will continue to assist constituents with all passport issues. Congressional caseworkers can be contacted at the following locations: