The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“PASSPORT BACKLOG REDUCTION ACT OF 2007” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1583 on July 20, 2007.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
PASSPORT BACKLOG REDUCTION ACT OF 2007
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speech of
HON. MICHAEL E. CAPUANO
of massachusetts
in the house of representatives
Monday, July 16, 2007
Mr. CAPUANO. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the passage of S. 966, a bill that will help ease the lengthy delays that citizens are experiencing obtaining a passport.
The House will have the opportunity to pass amendments to S. 966, the Passport Backlog Reduction Act. The Senate passed the bill, originally introduced by Senator Schumer, by unanimous consent on June 29.
After hearing from many constituents about problems they were having, I introduced my I own bill, H.R. 2960, the Department of State Crisis Response Act of 2007. Along with my colleagues Representatives Louise Slaughter, Ruben Hinojosa, Ted Poe, Al Green, Mac Thornberry, Charles Gonzalez, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Shelley Berkley, Henry Cuellar, Carol Shea-Porter, Jerry McNerney, Peter Welch and Jason Altmire, I introduced this legislation to enable the Department of State to respond to a critical shortage of passport processing personnel by re-
employing vital former employees. I am pleased that the House Foreign Affairs Committee decided to send the Senate bill, similar in purpose to my bill, to the floor in an effort expedite the process. With passage of S. 966, the State Department can begin working to reduce the passport backlog.
I am hopeful that this legislative action will go far to ease the difficulty and delay many of our constituents have experienced in getting or renewing their passports.
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