There are an estimated 500,000 living Purple Heart recipients who would be eligible to receive a waiver of passport fees and U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) wants to make it a reality.
“This bill recognizes the courage and sacrifice of our nation’s Purple Heart recipients by exempting their passport fees, enabling these brave men and women to travel unencumbered by bureaucratic fees,” Rep. Reschenthaler said. “I call on our colleagues to join us in supporting these American heroes.”
The congressman on Oct. 1 signed on as the lead original cosponsor of the bipartisan Passports for Purple Hearts Act, H.R. 8493, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH), which would waive all passport fees for recipients of the Purple Heart, a medal awarded to any member of the U.S. Armed Forces who is wounded or killed in battle.
H.R. 8493 received endorsements from the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers, and has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee.
“These brave individuals put their lives on the line to protect our country, this is the very least we can do for them,” said Rep. Ryan. “Who better to represent our nation abroad than those who sacrificed for their country?”