Cole Secures Additional Passport Staff for Houston Office

WASHINGTON, D.C.-U.S. Congressman Tom Cole (OK-4) joined Congresswoman Mary Fallin and Congressman John Sullivan in asking the U.S. State Department for assistance with problems concerning the Houston Passport problem.

Staffers from Cole's office spoke with Deputy Assistant Secretary Anne Barrett earlier this week to request additional staff be expedited to the Houston office. In light of the request, the State Department has provided a surge team to the Houston office to assist in alleviating the passport backlog.

"I am grateful for the State Department's speedy response to our request and am hopeful this will make it easier for people traveling over the summer to get their passport in time for their trip," Congressman Cole said. "Our district staff has been working diligently to speed up the process time for many travelers, and I encourage anyone experiencing passport problems to contact our Norman office for assistance."

New regulations require all U.S. citizens traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport. Beginning January 1, 2008, all U.S. citizens traveling by air and sea will be required to present a valid passport.

Most Oklahoma passport applications are processed at the Houston facility, which has reported a backlog of 90, 000 passports. For more information regarding passports contact Cole's Norman office at (405) 329-6500.

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