McCaul requests details on State Department’s passport backlog

U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) recently urged the U.S. State Department to fix its backlog and processing delay of passports.

“After enduring travel restrictions during the pandemic, Americans across the country are eager to reconnect with family and friends and create new memories through their travels,” Rep. McCaul said in a statement. “I am frustrated to learn many of my constituents have missed important work travel, vacations and even honeymoons because of the backlog of passports. It is time the department return to full staffing levels and address the passport processing delays.”

Rep. McCaul reiterated his concerns in a July 9 letter sent to State Department Ambassador Carol Perez, Acting Under Secretary of State for Management, and inquired about the State Department’s plan to return to fully staffed operations at Passport Agencies.

“At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, reduced staffing and telework were necessary adjustments,” the congressman wrote. “However, it is past time for the Department of State to return to full staffing levels.”

The current wait time for expedited passports is 12 weeks and 18 weeks for general processing, according to Rep. McCaul’s office, which has assisted with 124 passport requests.

The congressman requested that Perez inform his office about the department’s current staffing plans, as well as the number of pending applications, the average processing time, and current plans to reduce the backlog.