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Understanding New Passport Requirements Key to Smooth Travel


Congressman Michael Turner (center) is pictured with Darryl K. Myers, Postmaster General for Dayton (left), and Julie Liss-Katz, Constituent and Public Affairs Director for Miami Valley Hospital (right), after discussing the passport procedures and travel requirements..

After the terrible events of September 11, 2001, our nation knew it needed to enhance security and strengthen our passport regulations. The regulations at the time allowed U.S. citizens traveling in the Western Hemisphere to verbally declare their citizenship and gain admittance to the United States. This system made it very easy for people to slip into the country and, in order to correct this, the bipartisan 9-11 Commission recommended adoption of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative states that an American citizen trying to reenter the United States of America anywhere in the Western Hemisphere will have to show a valid U.S. passport. If they cannot show a valid U.S. passport or some combination of a picture ID, a birth certificate, or naturalization papers they will not be admitted to the United States. Beginning on January 31, 2008, additional increased identification requirements for crossing U.S. borders will take effect. Knowing the new requirements is key to your uninterrupted travel plans.

When these regulations were adopted last year, it dramatically increased the demand for passports. According to the State Department, there were 18.4 million passport applications processed in 2007, an increase of more than 50% in one year. This sharp increase in demand came in the early months of 2007, when many people are already ordering passports in expectation of spring and summer vacations. Unfortunately, the State Department had not adequately planned to respond to the increased need and there were not enough workers, processing centers or passport booklets to accommodate an increase this large.

People seeking passports had been told by the State Department to allow 8-12 weeks for processing. Once this period had passed, they were told their passport would not be ready for another several weeks. If they could not wait this long, they were told they could pay an additional sum to get the passport expedited or they could get their congressional representative to expedite it for them. My office received hundreds of calls seeking assistance. In over 97% of these cases, we were able to get in touch with the Passport Agency and provide assistance in getting the passport.

Though new processing centers have been created and additional staff has been hired, the demand for passports is expected to be even larger this year. In 2008, Gallup has projected that 29-36 million passport applications will be processed. This is at minimum 10 million more than last year and almost twice the increase of last year.

Over 74 million Americans now have passports and another million more get them every month. Because emergency travel situations can happen, or if you have family living abroad, it may be advisable to get a passport even if no overseas trip is planned. Visit http://travel.state.gov for information about the requirements for applying for a passport and additional travel information. The State Department is optimistic that they have corrected the process from last year. However, the only certain way to avoid a passport delay is to have your passport before you book your trip. Planning ahead to get your passport will ensure that any delays that occur do not disrupt your travel plans.



 

  

“As a former mayor, I have seen the detrimental impact that predatory lending has on families and communities. A University of Dayton study demonstrates how mortgage foreclosures are affecting urban areas in Ohio: Many foreclosed homes sit vacant and boarded up for long periods of time. These properties are blights on our neighborhoods and become a threat to public health and safety. They result in falling property values, increased crime, lead to an eroded local tax base, and impair a city’s ability to provide important services. Therefore, I offered an amendment to the FY 2008 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (THUD) that seeks to help families who are potential victims of lending practices that could lead to foreclosure. The amendment to THUD increases the amount of funds available for HUD approved housing counselors by $6.7 million. It is my hope that through the increased funding in my amendment housing counseling agencies such as St. Mary’s Development Corporation will increase vital counseling services to families in need. These services will give families assistance they need to protect themselves from predatory lending practices.”

Paul Larochelle (L) and his son, Andrew (R), present a flag flown over the United States Capitol Building to his grandfather, Marcel Larochelle. Andrew’s request had the word “God” censored from it by the Architect of the Capitol until Congressman Turner and his colleagues intervened.

Turner Visits GM Moraine Assembly Plant to Announce Support of Hill-Terry Bill

Recently, people who work at the GM Assembly Plant in Moraine called my Washington, D.C. office to advocate for HR 2927 (also known as the Hill-Terry) bill. I toured the GM Assembly Plant in Moraine to visit with workers and announce my support of the legislation.

My dad worked at the GM plants in Moraine and before that, Frigidaire, retiring after 44 years. From my dad’s hard work, I knew the importance of those jobs to the Dayton-area families and our community. My dad was glad to come with me and visit with the people at the plant and see the advanced technology employed there. He enjoyed the camaraderie and I think the people who met him enjoyed his perspective as well.

In order to provide the best opportunity to protect the GM jobs at Moraine, I have become a co-sponsor of HR 2927, the Hill-Terry CAFE bill. The Hill-Terry bill (HR 2927) provides a more reasonable and balanced approach to modifying current CAFE standards.

The bill allows for commonsense mileage goals that help protect American jobs – including right here in Ohio’s Third District – while promoting energy conservation. Perhaps most importantly, it also preserves the distinction between cars and trucks. The Moraine plant makes SUVs. Therefore, reasonable CAFE standards are of particular importance to the employees of GM’s Moraine Assembly Plant, and their families.

There’s a great deal at stake for GM employees, retirees, dealers and suppliers, as well as the communities where they live and work. That’s why Congress must pass realistic CAFE increases.
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Congressman Michael Turner - Ohio's 3rd District
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 Congressman Michael Turner - Ohio's 3rd District