Passport Act of 2023

S 2249, the Passport Act of 2023, requires the U.S. Department of State to process routine passport applications and renewals within an average of 12 weeks. It mandates weekly public updates on processing times, triggers congressional notifications if deadlines are missed for four consecutive weeks, and requires reassignment of non-consular staff during delays. The bill also directs the creation of an online tool showing application status stages and expands appointment availability at passport centers to address past shortages. These changes directly affect U.S. citizens applying for passports and the State Department's Consular Affairs Bureau.