Fetterman Leads Urgent Call to Extend Library Passport Services

U.S. Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, alongside a bipartisan coalition, is urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio to delay a recent decision that prevents local libraries from acting as passport acceptance facilities. The move, attributed to the previous Trump administration’s policy, has sparked significant backlash due to concerns over job losses and diminished access for millions of Americans.

In a letter sent on January 30, 2023, Fetterman, joined by Senator Dave McCormick, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and other lawmakers from both parties, requested an extension of the program beyond the February 13 deadline. They emphasized the importance of libraries, particularly in rural areas, which serve as vital access points for passport applications, especially for working families.

Concerns Over Job Loss and Accessibility

The letter highlights that libraries have been operating as passport acceptance facilities for many years, often without issue. The abrupt policy change, communicated to libraries in November 2022, mandates that nonprofit libraries under section 501(c)(3) are now ineligible to provide these services. This decision could lead to immediate staff reductions and significant disruptions in service.

“Libraries are among the most accessible passport acceptance facilities,” the lawmakers stated, noting that the change disproportionately impacts states like Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, Connecticut, Georgia, and New Jersey. For many residents in rural communities, libraries are often the only nearby locations where they can apply for a passport.

Fetterman’s letter pointed out that the February 13 deadline poses a serious risk to library jobs and essential programs that support children and families. “Without an extension, libraries will be forced to lay off employees, cut essential programs for children and families, or close their doors entirely,” the letter asserts.

Impact on Communities and Legislative Action

The lawmakers are advocating for the program to be extended through the end of 2026. This period would allow libraries adequate time to adjust and give Congress the opportunity to develop a permanent solution. Fetterman introduced the bipartisan Community Passport Services Access Act on January 29, 2023, which is designed to ensure that nonprofit public libraries can continue to operate as passport acceptance facilities. A companion bill is currently pending in the House of Representatives.

Real-world implications of the policy change are already becoming evident. For instance, the Marysville-Rye Library in Perry County, Pennsylvania, is one of only two passport acceptance facilities in the county. If it ceases operations, local residents would lose over 80 percent of available passport appointment options, leaving the county courthouse as the sole alternative.

In New York, the Brooklyn Public Library has processed more than 300,000 passport applications over the years. Lawmakers warn that the loss of library services will create significant gaps in access, particularly as demand rises due to new Real ID requirements.

The letter also questions why the State Department’s interpretation of federal law regarding passport acceptance had not been enforced for decades and why the February deadline could not be adjusted, given the potential negative consequences for communities.

Fetterman and his colleagues requested a response from Rubio by February 10 and sought a written justification should the State Department decline their request for an extension. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the urgent needs expressed by these lawmakers and their constituents.