Congressman Mike Lawler Introduces Bill to Slash Passport Delays

Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), has introduced the Cutting Passport Backlog Act, a bill aimed at tackling passport delays by expanding the State Department’s hiring authority for passport specialists.

The legislation would amend the Department of State Authorization Act of 2023 to extend special hiring authority from three to five years, allowing the Bureau of Consular Affairs to onboard qualified passport specialists without going through the traditional lengthy federal hiring process. Both the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the State Department have flagged this approach as key to 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,” said Congressman Lawler. “The Cutting Passport Backlog Act will make the process easier for all parties, ensuring the State Department gets constituents their documents without unnecessary delays.”

“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,” he added. “I’m proud to lead efforts that support effective government operations and enhance the quality of federal services delivered to all Americans.”

As Chairman of the MENA Subcommittee — which oversees the State Department’s Bureau of Management and Bureau of Counterterrorism — Lawler continues to advocate for a more agile and efficient foreign service infrastructure.

As part of his commitment to expanding passport access, Congressman Lawler played a key role in helping the Village of Kaser launch its own passport acceptance facility — the first of its kind in the area. As Monsey Scoop reported in November 2023, the Kaser passport office opened after a 12-year effort and now serves dozens of local residents daily, easing the burden on surrounding processing centers and providing a vital service to the community.
Read more: Kaser Passport Office Launches After 12-Year Effort – Monsey Scoop

The Cutting Passport Backlog Act has been submitted for consideration as part of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s broader State Department reauthorization package.