Sen. Mark Warner blames COVID-19 for record passport delays.

America Faces Unprecedented Passport Delays Amid COVID-19

America is currently grappling with an unforeseen consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic – unprecedented passport delays. According to Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), a series of events during the crisis has created a “perfect storm” leading to record-breaking delays.

“We’ve got this perfect storm with three things happening,” Warner explained. “One, hiring freezes. Two, a drop in fees due to reduced travel. And three, a sudden surge in travel demand.”

Warner highlighted that the pandemic has caused a significant backlog of passport requests as people postponed their travel plans and renewals. Additionally, government hiring freezes have resulted in fewer personnel available to process these requests.

“Previously, a regular passport would take about eight to 10 weeks,” the senator stated. “For an expedited passport, you could pay $60 and receive it in six to eight weeks.”

However, the processing time for regular passports has now been extended by several weeks, and in some cases, months. Warner shared stories of individuals who had been waiting for months to receive their passports, with some even having to travel across the country for an appointment.

For instance, one person from Washington, D.C. was given the option of an appointment in Los Angeles or San Juan, Puerto Rico. Another individual living in Los Angeles was even assigned appointments in Hawaii. This has raised concerns about the inconvenience and cost associated with traveling long distances for passport-related matters.

“It is what it is. There are 29 passport agencies,” Warner acknowledged. “So, I believe we need to urge them to prioritize appointments based on regions, so people don’t have to travel across the entire country or multiple time zones.”

Warner’s proposed solution involves increasing passport fees and hiring more personnel. However, he cautioned that these delays may persist for months, potentially causing travelers to miss their international trips this year.

“If you don’t have a passport, don’t book that international trip two weeks from now,” Warner advised. “Real relief may not come until next year.”

It is clear that the COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching effects, and the passport delays serve as another reminder of the challenges faced by individuals and governments alike.

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