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H.R.5233 / 118th Congress

To amend the Passport Act of June 4, 1920, to make certain improvements with respect to expenditure and other authorities, and for other purposes.

Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Aug 18, 2023

This bill requires various changes to the passport application process and addresses related issues.

The bill requires all U.S. regular passports to contain a written notice advising travelers (1) to check travel.state.gov for updated travel warnings, (2) to register with the Department of State prior to overseas travel, (3) that many countries deny entry to travelers whose passport expires within six months, and (4) to renew their passports within at least one year of the expiration date. 

Further, the bill makes permanent existing State Department authority to assess a surcharge on the passport application fee to cover the costs of increased demand prompted by certain legal requirements. This authority currently expires on September 30, 2026. 

For three years starting from this bill's enactment, the State Department may use direct hire authority to expedite the hiring of individuals into Passport and Visa Examining positions (Series 0967).

Finally, the bill requires the Department of State to report to Congress about passport processing wait times, agency plans for a public outreach campaign, and related information.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1] · R–GA

Committees

  • Foreign Affairs Committee
22 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

  2. Introduced in House

  3. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Jul 24, 2024. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.5233 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

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