U.S. Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania has initiated a bipartisan effort urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio to postpone the Trump administration’s recent decision that prohibits local libraries from serving as passport acceptance facilities. This move has sparked significant concern among lawmakers, who warn that it could lead to job losses, service interruptions, and diminished access to passport services for millions of Americans.
In a letter sent on February 6, 2024, Fetterman, along with Senator Dave McCormick and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, called for a delay of the decision, which is scheduled to take effect on February 13. The letter was signed by lawmakers from both parties and multiple states, emphasizing the need for an extension of the program while Congress seeks a permanent solution.
Libraries have historically served as vital access points for passport services, particularly in rural areas where they often represent the nearest facility for applying. The lawmakers stated, “In a time when demand for passports is surging, libraries are among the most accessible passport acceptance facilities, particularly for working families and rural residents.”
Under the recent policy change by the State Department, nonprofit libraries classified as 501(c)(3) organizations can no longer operate as passport acceptance facilities. This decision has left many libraries, which have provided these services for years, facing abrupt deadlines and potential closures. Libraries received notification of the change in November 2023, giving them less than three months to comply.
The decision disproportionately affects states like Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, Connecticut, Georgia, and New Jersey, where a significant number of public libraries are structured as nonprofit entities. For residents in rural communities, libraries are frequently the only options available for passport applications.
Fetterman’s letter highlighted the immediate human impact of this policy. “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,” it stated. Without an extension, the lawmakers warned that libraries could face layoffs, cuts to essential programs for children and families, or even complete closures.
To address the situation, Fetterman introduced the bipartisan Community Passport Services Access Act on January 29, 2024, aimed at allowing nonprofit public libraries to continue serving as passport acceptance facilities. A companion bill is currently under consideration in the House of Representatives.
The letter also pointed out specific local impacts. For instance, the Marysville-Rye Library in Perry County, Pennsylvania, is one of only two passport acceptance facilities in the area and one of at least 18 Pennsylvania libraries that have been ordered to cease services. If this library closes, it would eliminate more than 80 percent of local passport appointment availability, leaving the county courthouse as the only option.
In New York, the lawmakers noted that the Brooklyn Public Library has processed over 300,000 passports throughout its history. The elimination of library-based services threatens to create significant gaps in access to passports, especially as demand increases due to new Real ID requirements.
Lawmakers are seeking a response from Rubio by February 10 and have requested a written justification if the State Department rejects their request for an extension. The situation continues to evolve as libraries and their communities brace for the potential consequences of this policy change.
