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Passport Services

FILE - This May 25, 2021, file photo shows a U.S. Passport cover in Washington. Americans hoping to travel abroad this summer may have to delay their plans if they need new or renewed passports. Would-be travelers are overwhelming federal offices as the lifting of COVID-19 travel restrictions unleashes a pent-up demand for passports. Wait times for new passports and renewals are now up to 18 weeks and those seeking expedited appointments can take up to 12 weeks. (AP Photo/Eileen Putman, File)

Senator hopes to speed up passport process before summer ends

In today’s Federal Newscast, one Senator says he’s working on legislation that would give the State Department more ways to handle its backlog of passport…

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In this May 9, 2017 photo, U.S. passports lie on a table in Dallas, Texas. The U.S. State Department is in the middle of a record year for processing passport applications, with 20.5 million renewals and applications for new passports expected. Adult U.S. passports must be renewed every 10 years, and the 2017 surge comes a decade after a law went into effect requiring passports for U.S. citizens traveling to Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean. (AP Photo/Benny Snyder)

State Dept surges hiring amid ‘historically high’ demand for passports to drive down wait times

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(Getty Images/iStockphoto/RandyHarris)State Dept passport

Drop in international travel during pandemic jeopardized State Dept passport revenue

Management Read more
Gary Somerset

What GPO has in common with Vera Bradley, Briggs and Stratton

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(Amelia Brust/Federal News Network)

This State Department IT project started in 2009 and it’s nowhere near finished

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(AP Photo/Eileen Putman)FILE - This May 25, 2021 file photo shows a U.S. Passport cover in Washington. The United States has issued its first passport with an “X” gender designation, a milestone in the recognition of the rights of people who don't identify as male or female. (AP Photo/Eileen Putman)

State Dept expects long-awaited online passport renewal system to launch by fall 2022

IT Modernization Read more
(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)FILE - This Aug. 10, 2006, file photo shows the sign used as the backdrop for press briefings at the U.S. Department of State in Washington. More of the first volunteers are starting to trickle back to their desks at federal agencies in the coronavirus lockdown. In the third month after Americans began sheltering in place and worksites began closing, the Energy Department says the first voluntary returns of a small number of headquarters workers began Monday. The State Department and Agriculture Department also have some workers returning to job places this month. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak. File)

IG links State Dept. staffing issues to delays in decade-long IT modernization project

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(Getty Images/iStockphoto/RandyHarris)State Dept passport

State Dept. IT modernization delays leave passport services staff unable to telework

The State Department’s limited progress with an IT modernization effort that began more than a decade ago left most passport services employees unable…

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(Getty Images/iStockphoto/RandyHarris)State Dept passport

Passport services union presses State Dept. for more leave flexibility amid COVID-19 outbreaks

The National Federation of Federal Employees warns rising cases of the COVID-19 delta variant has led to “alarming outbreaks” at passport agencies…

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FILE - This May 25, 2021, file photo shows a U.S. Passport cover in Washington. Americans hoping to travel abroad this summer may have to delay their plans if they need new or renewed passports. Would-be travelers are overwhelming federal offices as the lifting of COVID-19 travel restrictions unleashes a pent-up demand for passports. Wait times for new passports and renewals are now up to 18 weeks and those seeking expedited appointments can take up to 12 weeks. (AP Photo/Eileen Putman, File)

USPS sees steep decline in revenue due to lack of passport applications during pandemic

Federal Newscast

In today’s Federal Newscast, the Postal Service saw a more than 30% decrease in passport applications last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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