Issa calls for U.S. Passport Services to be surged

WASHINGTON – In a letter sent June 18 to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) called on the Biden Administration to surge resources to meet increasingly high citizen passport demand, which has created a backlog of requests that continues to grow and impact travel plans for Americans across the country.

“Thankfully, Americans are on the move again and the resumption of travel is essential to our national economic rebound. Unfortunately, the federal government’s response to the growing backlog of U.S. passport requests is indifferent at best, and absent at worst. Our fellow citizens have every right to expect their government to meet this need. That’s why I am calling on the State Department to surge resources by resuming full staffing, adding extra hours of service and operations to assist customers, and provide the necessary support and resources to relieve overburdened staff and clear the backlog of passport requests,” Issa said.

The letter said, “Unfortunately, State Department resources have not been restored to full pre-COVID capacity, and passport office staffing levels remain restricted, with limited appointments and fulfillment capabilities.”

The letter continues, “My office has observed firsthand the degree to which current staff are working hard to meet need, and for that, my constituents are very grateful. But more help is needed in this unprecedented time, and it is within your ability to bring these team members support. Only the federal government can fix this problem right away to restore international travel. We owe the American people responsive and timely essential services.”

Submitted by Congressman Darrell Issa.