Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania’s 1st District has introduced H.R. 6997, the Community Passport Services Access Act, alongside a bipartisan group of Pennsylvania lawmakers. The bill aims to allow nonprofit public libraries to continue offering passport services and retain processing fees, following a recent U.S. State Department decision that would remove this ability from libraries.
Fitzpatrick was joined by Representatives John Joyce (PA-13), Madeleine Dean (PA-4), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-5), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-6), Robert Bresnahan (PA-8), and Lloyd Smucker (PA-11) in support of the legislation. The lawmakers say the State Department’s change would move areas like Bucks and Montgomery Counties from local library-based passport services to a centralized federal system, potentially reducing access and increasing costs for families.
“Public libraries sit at the heart of our communities and have become a gateway to essential federal services like passports. This bill ensures they can continue providing that access without diverting local dollars away from core community needs. It keeps services close to home, safeguards local resources, and protects taxpayers from being forced to subsidize a federal responsibility,” said Fitzpatrick.
Libraries in Pennsylvania often use passport processing fees to support operations such as extended hours or other community programs, especially where no nearby federal passport offices exist. Lawmakers warn that removing this revenue could force libraries to cut services or increase reliance on local tax funding.
“The Community Passport Services Access Act is the direct result of the outreach I received from libraries in my congressional district that would be adversely impacted by recent changes. Families in our rural communities have come to rely on their local public libraries for accessible and convenient passport services and they deserve the certainty to know that these services will continue to be available,” said Joyce. “I’m grateful for Congresswoman Dean’s partnership in ensuring that affected libraries will be able to provide passport services and keep their doors open in our communities for years to come.”
“Our public libraries are a beacon — offering a breadth of resources right in our communities, including the ability to accept passport applications,” said Dean. “Pennsylvanians depend on the accessibility of passport acceptance facilities, and our libraries rely on this program for crucial revenue. At a time when more Americans than ever are seeking passports, the State Department must reinstate this sensible, time-saving option.”
“Libraries are more than just gateways to lifelong learning in our community. I want to thank Dr. Joyce for leading efforts to address this issue. I am pleased to join my Pennsylvania colleagues in a bipartisan effort to ensure that libraries can remain passport acceptance agencies and will advocate for this bill’s swift consideration and passage,” said Smucker. “I also want to thank the library directors, board members, local elected officials, and community members who shared their concerns with me about the impact of this decision. Their input was invaluable as the Pennsylvania Delegation worked together to address this issue.”
“Libraries are the bedrock of communities across Pennsylvania and our nation. Ensuring that Americans can access passport services in the same trusted community spaces they already rely on and are familiar with is essential to making government more accessible and convenient for families and individuals alike. I am proud to support this bipartisan bill, which reaffirms the vital role libraries play in delivering essential services to our constituents including access to passport services,” said Houlahan.
“For families in Northeastern Pennsylvania, getting a passport should not mean taking a day off work or driving hours just to access a federal service. Our local nonprofit libraries are already trusted hubs for the community, and this legislation simply gives them the tools to keep doing what they do best—serve people. Allowing libraries to receive processing fees ensures these services remain available, affordable, and right here at home while strengthening the community institutions that so many NEPA families rely on,” said Bresnahan.
The Pennsylvania Library Association commented: “Public libraries are geared to serve their communities and often provide weekend and evening hours… For decades…many public libraries…have provided an easy access point for US citizens…to apply for passports…The unexpected sudden removal of public libraries that are structured as non-profit charitable organizations as…consideration of whether they are a qualified acceptance facility will have significant impact on citizens wishing to get a passport easily…
Public libraries organized as non-profit charitable organizations versus being a department of local municipal government have had [to] meet the same standards as other entities…These non-profit libraries have hired and trained staff…[and] used photo fees…[to] underwrite …library operations…
We are thrilled …for bipartisan support …Just because some public libraries operate as …non-profit organization does not mean that they are less qualified…”
Fitzpatrick’s office continues assisting residents with new or renewed passports; last year his team helped over 700 families resolve application issues with routine processing times currently six-to-eight weeks.
Brian Fitzpatrick has served as U.S Representative since 2017 after replacing Mike Fitzpatrick representing Pennsylvania’s 1st District (source). He was born in Philadelphia in 1973 and currently lives in Levittown after graduating from La Salle University before earning law degrees at Penn State.
