Washington, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge voted Monday night for legislation that will reduce the backlog of passport applications that has made it difficult for North Carolinians to receive passports.
The House approved the legislation unanimously.
“Countless North Carolinians have contacted my office because the State Department has taken months to process their passport applications, putting important travel plans in jeopardy,” said Etheridge. “This legislation will help the State Department to process applications in a more timely manner, allowing North Carolinians to obtain passport services.”
Passport requests skyrocketed when a law took effect requiring Americans traveling by air to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda to hold a passport. The State Department did not prepare for the increase in applications, resulting in a backlog. The time to receive a passport has increased from four to six weeks to three months or more.
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. It waives current requirements that deny retirement benefits to these retirees if they exceed strict wages-earned and hours-worked caps.
Etheridge’s office has already assisted numerous constituents who have had difficulty obtaining a passport. Any resident of the Second Congressional District needing assistance with a delayed passport application may contact Etheridge’s Washington office at 202.225.4531.