Reform legislation will slash passport fees for American personnel assisting disaster relief abroad.
Washington – Today, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) and Congressman Brendan Boyle (PA-2) introduced H.R. 5620, the bipartisan First Responders Passport Act, to significantly reduce costs for first responders traveling abroad to assist in U.S. disaster relief efforts.
“The skilled and courageous men and women of elite American first responder teams showcase the best of our relief efforts on the international stage. That’s why we are reducing costs, so they can more easily and effectively serve wherever they are deployed,” said Rep. Issa. “We know that when disaster strikes, getting first responders quickly on the scene can make the critical difference between life and death. This legislation gives these emergency personnel a better way to do just that.”
Currently, USAID arranges for teams of first responders to be quickly deployed and assist with disaster response efforts around the world. To maintain their timely availability, these emergency personnel are required to hold up-to-date passports. As contractors, however, they are not eligible for fee-free diplomatic passports. H.R. 5620 would provide discretion to the Secretary of State to waive passport fees for these heroes responding to natural disasters overseas.
“Every year, American contractors and volunteers bravely go abroad to help victims of natural disasters in foreign lands. All too often, these individuals are subject to passport fees at their own expense when attempting to travel abroad to save lives. I am proud to have introduced this common-sense proposal with my colleague, Mr. Issa from California, because contractors and volunteers deserve the same treatment as government employees when they are sent abroad to offer their service on behalf of the American people,” said Congressman Boyle.
Original cosponsors include Rep. Garret Graves (LA-06), Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr. (VA-08), Rep. Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-02), Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Rep. James P. McGovern (MA-02), Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03), Rep. María Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Rep. Mike Waltz (FL-06), Rep. Carlos Gimenez (FL-28), Rep. Michael Guest (MS-03).
The bill text can be found here.
Darrell Issa is the Representative of California’s 48th Congressional District. The District encompasses the central and eastern parts of San Diego County and a portion of Riverside County, including the communities of Fallbrook, Valley Center, Ramona, Escondido, Santee, Lakeside, Poway, Temecula, Murrieta, and the mountain and desert areas of the San Diego-Imperial County line. Issa served as the Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform from 2011-2015.
