Congressman Lawler Introduces Cutting Passport Backlog Act

Congressman Mike Lawler, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), introduced the Cutting Passport Backlog Act.  

This legislation amends the Department of State Authorization Act of 2023 to extend the special hiring authority for passport specialists from three to five years. This will allow the Bureau of Consular Affairs to hire qualified passport specialists without going through longer, traditional federal hiring processes. This measure has been identified by both the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the State Department as a key factor in improving service efficiency.

“Since I was elected to Congress, my office has helped thousands of Hudson Valley residents with passport related casework. This casework is unfortunately far too common. The Cutting Passport Backlog Act will make the process easier for all parties, ensuring the State Department  gets constituents get their documents without unnecessary delays,” said Chairman Lawler.

“Americans often travel abroad to see their family, go to school, or for countless other reasons. That is why a streamlined passport process is essential. I’m proud to lead efforts that support effective government operations and enhance the quality of federal services delivered to all Americans,” concluded Chairman Lawler.

As Chairman of the MENA Subcommittee, which holds jurisdiction over both the State Department’s Bureau of Management and Bureau of Counterterrorism, Lawler is leveraging his role to advance reforms that support a more agile and effective foreign policy.

Each of these bills, including the Cutting Passport Backlog Act, has been submitted for consideration in the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s State Department reauthorization.