Congress Passes Passport Backlog Reduction Act (Updated 7/19/07)

VIA AILA

On 7/18/07, the Senate passed the House amendment to the Passport Backlog Reduction Act of 2007 (S. 966) by unanimous consent, clearing the amended bill to be signed into law by the President.

The original bill passed by the Senate on 6/29/07 provided for the temporary rehiring of Foreign Service retirees to assist in reducing the current backlog in passport applications. The bill also allowed rehired workers to retain their retirement benefits.

The version passed by the Senate on 7/18/07 includes modifications passed in the House by voice vote on 7/16/07. The amended bill contains additional language to allow rehired workers to assist in passport fraud investigations. It also shortens the period of authorization for rehires, moving up the expiration date from 9/30/10 as proposed in the original Senate version to 9/30/08 in the House amendment.

The finalized bill is not yet available.