PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 49 · Public Law · Jul 30, 2007
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on July 16, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Passport Backlog Reduction Act of 2007 - Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to authorize the Secretary of State to employ Foreign Service annuitants to assist in the processing of: (1) passport applications, including passport fraud investigations; and (2) visa applications at consular posts with a substantial application backlog.
Authorizes the Secretary to waive salary and full-time employment pension restrictions through: (1) September 30, 2008, for consular-related employment; and (2) through September 30, 2009, for passport-related employment.
People & committees
Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY] · D–NY
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 110-50.
Became Public Law No: 110-50.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Cleared for White House.
Senate agreed to House amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S9468; text as Senate agreed to House amendment: CR S9468)
Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to House amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S9468; text as Senate agreed to House amendment: CR S9468)
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7805)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H7805)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 966.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7805-7807)
Ms. Watson moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8755-8756; text of measure as report in Senate: CR S8756; text as passed Senate: CR S8756)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S8755-8756; text of measure as report in Senate: CR S8756; text as passed Senate: CR S8756)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 239.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Biden with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-109.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Biden with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-109.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze S.966 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.
Examine S.966 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine S.966 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine S.966 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.