Fetterman Leads Call to Delay Library Passport Ban Amid Backlash

U.S. Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania is spearheading a bipartisan initiative urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio to postpone the recent decision that prohibits public libraries from serving as passport acceptance facilities. This move, stemming from the Trump administration’s policy, has prompted concerns about job losses, service disruptions, and reduced access for millions of Americans.

In a letter sent on February 5, 2024, Fetterman was joined by U.S. Senator Dave McCormick, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and lawmakers across multiple states. They are advocating for an extension of the program beyond the current February 13 deadline while Congress seeks a permanent solution. The lawmakers emphasized that libraries are crucial passport acceptance locations, especially for working families and rural residents.

“This abrupt determination, issued with little notice or explanation, has placed libraries, their employees, and the communities they serve in an untenable position through no fault of their own,” the letter stated. Under the revised policy, the State Department has declared that 501(c)(3) nonprofit libraries can no longer operate as passport acceptance facilities, despite having done so for many years.

Libraries received notification of this policy change in November 2023, giving them until February 13 to cease all passport services. The lawmakers pointed out that this decision disproportionately affects states like Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, Connecticut, Georgia, and New Jersey, where many public libraries are structured as nonprofit entities due to historical precedent.

For many residents in rural areas, libraries are often the nearest, and sometimes the only, place to apply for a passport. “At some libraries, the February 13 deadline all but guarantees immediate staff reductions, putting dedicated public servants and their families at risk of losing their jobs, income, and healthcare overnight,” the lawmakers wrote. They warned that without an extension, libraries may face layoffs, reductions in essential programs, or even closure.

The bipartisan group is advocating for the program to be extended through the end of 2026 to provide libraries with the necessary time to adapt and allow Congress to take action. Fetterman also introduced the bipartisan Community Passport Services Access Act on January 29, 2024, which seeks to ensure that nonprofit public libraries can continue to function as passport acceptance facilities. A companion bill is currently under consideration in the House of Representatives.

The letter underscored the immediate impacts of the policy shift. For instance, the Marysville-Rye Library in Perry County, Pennsylvania, is one of only two passport acceptance facilities in the county. The closure of this library would eliminate over 80 percent of local passport appointment availability, leaving the county courthouse as the only option for residents.

In New York, lawmakers highlighted that the Brooklyn Public Library alone has processed more than 300,000 passports over the years. The loss of library-based services could create significant gaps in service as demand increases due to new Real ID requirements.

The lawmakers questioned the State Department’s interpretation of federal law, which went unenforced for decades, and asked why the February deadline could not be adjusted given the potential consequences for communities across the country. They have requested a response from Rubio by February 10, 2024, and have asked for a written justification should the State Department deny the extension request.

This situation continues to evolve, and the implications for libraries and communities remain significant as lawmakers push for a solution.