The State Department has temporarily lifted a new mandate for some American travelers to carry a passport when returning to the U.S. via air. People who have applied for a passport may travel to the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda with official proof of application for a passport through September 30, and a government issued photo identification.

Congress mandated the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) in 2004, which took effect on January 23 of this year. It requires Americans to present a valid passport when returning from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda in order to strengthen border security. The mandate caused a spike in new or renewing passport applications, which has resulted in longer than normal processing times at the Department of State.

Congressman Ehlers urges anyone planning on traveling by air this year to apply immediately for their passport to avoid hardships. If you have international air travel plans in less than 10-12 weeks, you are urged to expedite your application and elect overnight delivery and return charges at the time of application. Additionally, the WHTI could extend to land border crossings as soon as January of 2008 in some locations, which means Americans will need a passport to return to the country via land and sea border crossings.

There is one last very important caveat to all of this: even though travelers may return to the U.S. with proof of application and photo ID, some Caribbean nations require a valid passport to enter. Individuals traveling to Caribbean nations should be sure contact the foreign embassy or consulate nearest them for specific entry requirements.  For a listing of Caribbean national consulates in the U.S., refer to the State Department’s page detailing Tips for Travelers to the Caribbean: http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/regional/regional_1171.html 

Please feel free to contact Congressman Ehlers' district office if you are traveling within two weeks and have been unable to obtain information on the status of your application either via http://travel.state.gov or by calling the National Passport Information Center at 877-487-2778 or 888-874-7793.

The Christian Reformed Church of North America celebrated 150 years of existence on Sunday with an anniversary worship service at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers honored the event with a statement in the Congressional Record. Ehlers made the following remarks about the milestone:

“I am proud to be a member of this church denomination, which has helped me and millions of others through the last 150 years to worship God faithfully, to experience fellowship with other believers, and to provide spiritual and physical care to those in need. I commend its members during this special time of remembering, rejoicing and rededicating. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the CRC on its 150 years of service.”

Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers spoke on the House floor last week in support of the National STEM Scholarship Database Act (H.R. 1051), which was passed by the House of Representatives. The bill would require the U.S. Department of Education to create a searchable database of financial assistance programs for the study of postsecondary and graduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

“Unfortunately, data have shown that some students do not attend college or graduate school because they think they cannot afford it,” Ehlers said.  “This legislation will provide students with better information about available financial aid resources related to the STEM fields.  It simply establishes a database to be accessed on the U.S. Department of Education’s website.  I am very hopeful that this database will link students with available financial aid resources, and encourage more students to enter STEM-related careers.”

According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, the average cost of tuition and fees in Michigan is $6,189 per year at a four-year public university and $13,253 at a four-year private university. The constantly increasing cost of higher education would make this tool crucial for students who have a desire to advance their education, but who may be intimidated by the price tags of many colleges and universities.

Rep. Ehlers has worked tirelessly in Congress to improve accessibility to higher education in the STEM fields. Increasing the number of U.S. students who graduate with these degrees will make our state and our country far more competitive in the global economy.

(Bills on suspension are generally considered non-controversial and have reduced debate time, but require a two-thirds majority vote to be passed.)

Suspensions (9 bills):

1) H. Res. 354 - To recognize the year 2007 as the official 50th anniversary celebration of the beginnings of marinas, power production, recreation, and boating on Lake Sidney Lanier, Georgia (Sponsored by Rep. Deal / Transportation and Infrastructure Committee)

2) H. Res. 431 - Recognizing the 40th anniversary of Loving v. Virginia legalizing interracial marriage within the United States (Sponsored by Rep. Baldwin / Judiciary Committee)

3) H.R. 2356 - To amend title 4, United States Code, to encourage the display of the flag of the United States on Father`s Day (Sponsored by Rep. David Scott / Judiciary Committee)

4) H.R. 1441 - To strengthen controls on the export of surplus F-14 fighter aircraft parts (Sponsored by Rep. Giffords / Foreign Affairs Committee)

5) S. 676 - A bill to provide that the Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank or the Alternate Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank may serve on the Board of Directors of the Inter-American Foundation (Sponsored by Sen. Biden / Foreign Affairs Committee)

6) H. Res. 226 - To recognize John Pehle for his contributions to the Nation in helping rescue Jews and other minorities from the Holocaust during World War II (Sponsored by Rep. Woolsey / Foreign Affairs Committee)

7) H. Res. 295 - Recognizing the strong alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States and expressing appreciation to the Republic of Korea for its efforts in the global war against terrorism (Sponsored by Rep. King (NY) / Foreign Affairs Committee)

8) H. Res. 395 - Supporting the ideals and values of the Olympic movement (Sponsored by Rep. Lamborn / Foreign Affairs Committee)

9) H. Res. 418 - Recognizing and welcoming the delegation of Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Foreign Ministers from the Caribbean to Washington, D.C., and commending the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) for holding the Conference on the Caribbean (Sponsored by Rep. Engel / Foreign Affairs Committee)

Suspensions (5 bills):

1) H.R. 2358 - Native American $1 Coin Act (Sponsored by Rep. Kildee / Financial Services Committee)

2) H. Res. 329 - Congratulating the Barton College men`s basketball team for winning the 2007 NCAA Division II Men`s Basketball National Championship (Sponsored by Rep. Jones (NC) / Education and Labor Committee)

3) H.R. __ - To amend the Fair Labor Standards Act, with respect to civil penalties for child labor violations (Sponsored by Rep. Woolsey / Education and Labor Committee)

4) H. Res. __ - Recognizing the immeasurable contributions of fathers in the healthy development of children, supporting responsible fatherhood, and encouraging greater involvement of fathers in the lives of their children, especially on Father`s Day (Sponsored by Rep. McIntyre / Education and Labor Committee)

5) H. Res. 455 - Supporting the goals and ideals of National Internet Safety Month (Sponsored by Rep. Bean / Energy and Commerce Committee)

H.R.__ - 2008 Homeland Security Appropriations (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Price (NC) - Appropriations)

 H.R. __ - 2008 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Edwards / Appropriations Committee)

H.R. __ - 2008 Energy and Water Appropriations (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Visclosky / Appropriations Committee)

H.R. __ - 2008 Interior and the Environment Appropriations (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Dicks / Appropriations Committee)