Passport Backlog Reduction Act

Earlier this summer, lines formed at State Department offices across the United States as citizens sought to get passports for their summer vacation.  Complaints abounded.  Ultimately, in order to accommodate the vacation plans of citizens and to calm down harried would-be travelers, the State Department relaxed some new passport requirements.

Last week, Congress responded by passing S.966, the Passport Backlog Reduction Act” (text).  The Act, which is brief, seeks to make it easier for the State Department to catch up with the backlog.

As you all know, Congress failed — for the second year in a row — to pass immigration reform legislation this year.  Noncitizens will suffer the most as a result.  Reform failed even though almost all informed observers believe that change in U.S. immigration laws is necessary. 

i do not mean to compare passport reform with immigration reform.  Immigration reform obviously is much more complicated.  However, it is interesting to see how Congress can respond quickly when it wants to respond to the relatively minor concerns of U.S. citizens but not when it comes to the incredibly important concerns of noncitizens.

KJ