,i #aah? ,,congress #a/ ,session ,h4 ,r4 #ffaj ,,9 ,,! ,,h\se ,,( ,,repres5tatives ,decemb] #f1 #bjbc,mr4 ,issa 7= himself & ,ms4 ,salaz>7 introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 ref]r$ to ! ,committee on ,=eign ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to provide = ! mod]nization ( ! passport issuance process1 & = o!r purposes4 #a4 ,%ort title & table ( cont5ts 7a7 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! ,passport ,sy/em ,re=m & ,backlog ,prev5tion ,act4 7b7 ,table ( cont5ts ,! table ( cont5ts = ?is ,act is z foll[s3 ,sec4 #a4 ,%ort title & table ( cont5ts4,sec4 #b4 ,f9d+s4,sec4 #c4 ,s5se ( ,congress4,sec4 #d4 ,/&>ds = passport issuance process4,sec4 #e4 ,em]g5cy hir+ au?orities = consul> s]vices4,sec4 #f4 ,enhanc$ in=mation te*nology solutions to improve ! passport issuance process4,sec4 #g4 ,rese>* on comm]cially available in=mation te*nology solutions4,sec4 #h4 ,,gao report4,sec4 #i4 ,def9itions4 #b4 ,f9d+s ,congress f9ds ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,foll[+ ! ,,covid-#ai p&emic1 ! ,unit$ ,/ates exp]i5c$ a major backlog ( passport applications result+ 9 passport process+ wait times ( up to #ac weeks1 exclusive ( %ipp+ times4 7#b7 ,! backlog result$ 9 wait times :i* are an extreme outli] among develop$ c\ntries ) widely accept$ passports1 :ile ,unit$ ,/ates pre-p&emic process+ times ( six to eight weeks are also among ! sl[e/4 7#c7 ,ov] ! pa/ sev]al ye>s1 ! ,bureau has exp]i5c$ repeat$ delays 9 its attempts to mod]nize & te*nologize ! passport issuance process4 7#d7 ,! adoption ( additional comm]cially available in=mation te*nology solutions at sev]al /ages ( ! passport issuance process w\ld greatly enhance & accel]ate su* process4 7#e7 ,! ,unit$ ,/ates passport is a widely recogniz$ & tru/$ id5tity & travel docum5t t repres5ts a key elem5t ( a ,unit$ ,/ates citiz5's id5tity records4 #c4 ,s5se ( ,congress ,x is ! s5se ( ,congress t-- 7#a7 z a r\t9e matt]1 an adult :o has submitt$ a r\t9e new or r5ewal passport application %\ld be reliably able to expect t su* application adjudicat$ w be adjudicat$ by ! ,bureau1 at a reasonable co/1 9 no long] ?an #cj days2 & 7#b7 ! ,bureau %\ld take e ef=t & use e available te*nology & be/ practice to protect ! integrity ( ! passport issuance process1 ! privacy ( passport hold]s1 & ! effici5cy ( process+ passport issuance reque/s4 #d4 ,/&>ds = passport issuance process ,^u implem5tation ( ! in=mation te*nology solutions requir$ pursuant to section #f1 9 adm9i/]+ ! passport issuance process1 ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y %all evaluate ! p]=mance ( su* process aga9/ ! foll[+ crit]ia3 7#a7 ,to ma9ta9 a s]vice /&>d ( process+ a r\t9e new or r5ewal adult passport application f docum5t submission until mail+ ( f9al docum5ts 9 n long] ?an #cj days4 7#b7 ,to ma9ta9 af=dable passport fees4 7#c7 ,to ensure _w-class te*nical1 security1 & cyb]security /&>ds = ,unit$ ,/ates passports & ! passport issuance process4 7#d7 ,to m9imize d[ntime = ! travel docum5t issuance sy/em4 7#e7 ,to a*ieve a ne>-z]o susp5se rate result+ f typographical1 cl]ical1 or picture-bas$ errors4 7#f7 ,to provide a /reaml9$ cu/om] exp]i5ce = passport applicants4 7#g7 ,to provide reasonably conv5i5t passport s]vices to ,unit$ ,/ates citiz5s & nationals liv+ a significant di/ance f a passport ag5cy1 p>ticul>ly resid5ts 9 a significant population c5t] m ?an a #e-;h\r drive f a passport ag5cy4 #e4 ,em]g5cy hir+ au?orities = consul> s]vices 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y is au?oriz$ to employ a limit$ numb] ( p]sonal s]vices contractors = employm5t 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates 9 ord] to meet exig5t ne$s ( ! ,bureau4 7b7 ,au?ority 9 addition to exi/+ au?orities ,! au?ority describ$ 9 subsection 7a7 is 9 addition to any exi/+ au?orities to ent] into contracts ) su* p]sonal s]vices contractors4 7c7 ,employ+ & allocation ( p]sonnel ,to meet ! requirem5ts describ$ 9 subsection 7a7 & subject to ! requirem5ts ( subsection 7b71 ! ,secret>y may-- 7#a7 employ a total ( up to #ajj p]sonal s]vices contractors at any giv5 "t 9 ea* ( ! fiscal ye>s #bjbd1 #bjbe1 & #bjbf2 7#b7 allocate p]sonal s]vices contractors to o!r elem5ts ( ! ,dep>tm5t 9 ord] to backfill p]sonnel :o h be5 assign$ to "w 9 ! ,bureau1 except t n m ?an #bj su* contractors may be assign$ to any "o elem5t ( ! ,dep>tm5t o!r ?an ! ,bureau2 & 7#c7 allocate p]sonal s]vices contractors to elem5ts ( ! ,dep>tm5t )\t reg>d to ! s\rces ( fund+ su* elem5t relies on to comp5sate individuals4 7d7 ,limitation ,employm5t au?oriz$ by ?is section may n exce$ #b cal5d> ye>s4 7e7 ,p]sonal s]vices contractors ,p]sonal s]vices contractors hir$ pursuant to ?is section %all be consid]$ z employees ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,/ate = ! purposes ( ! fir/ section ( ! ,act entitl$ ,an ,act to regulate ! issue & validity ( passports1 & = o!r purposes1 approv$ ,july #c1 #aibf 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #baa;a74 7f7 ,notification & ,report+ to ,congress 7#a7 ,notification ,at lea/ #ae days prior to ! ex]cise ( ! au?ority ( ?is section1 ! ,secret>y %all notify ! appropriate congressional committees ( ! numb] ( p]sonal s]vices contractors be+ employ$1 ! expect$ l5g? ( employm5t1 ! bureaus 9 :i* su* contractors are be+ employ$1 ! purpose = us+ p]sonal s]vices contractors1 & ! ju/ification1 includ+ ! exig5t circum/ances requir+ su* use4 7#b7 ,annual report+ ,n lat] ?an #fj days aft] ! end ( ea* fiscal ye> specifi$ 9 subsection 7c77#a71 ! ,secret>y %all submit to ! appropriate congressional committees a report t conta9s ! matt]s describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a7 ) respect to su* fiscal ye>4 #f4 ,enhanc$ in=mation te*nology solutions to improve ! passport issuance process 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,assi/ant ,secret>y1 9 consultation ) ! ,*ief ,in=mation ,(fic]1 %all implem5t ! in=mation te*nology solutions describ$ 9 subsection 7b7 9 accordance ) ! timel9es describ$ 9 su* subsection4 7b7 ,enhanc$ in=mation te*nology solutions & timel9es describ$ ,! enhanc$ in=mation te*nology solutions & timel9es describ$ 9 ?is subsection are ! foll[+3 7#a7 7,a7 ,n lat] ?an #fj days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,*ief ,in=mation ,(fic] %all aw>d a contract or exp& an exi/+ contract to provide a digital da%bo>d to provide congressional (fices ) ! ability to track ! /atus ( individual passport applications be+ h&l$ z casework by su* (fices4 7,b7 ,n lat] ?an #ahj days aft] su* date ( enactm5t1 ! ,*ief ,in=mation ,(fic] %all complete implem5tation ( ! da%bo>d describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a74 7#b7 7,a7 ,n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y1 9 consultation ) ! ,*ief ,in=mation ,(fic]1 %all aw>d a contract = ! e/abli%m5t & ma9t5ance (-- 7i7 a s]vice to provide to passport applicants automat$1 volunt>y proactive communications1 by email or text message1 = ea* progress po9t 9 ! passport issuance process1 & = ! notification ( application errors1 & deliv]y ( mail track+ numb]s1 & rem9d]s ( r5ewal eligibility2 7ii7 a mobile application to all[ = ! c5tralization ( applicant communication ) ! ,dep>tm5t1 includ+ docum5t submission1 application /atus track+1 virtual appo9tm5ts1 access to ! notification ( application errors describ$ 9 clause 7i71 & all[+ = passport hold]s to receive messages f ! ,dep>tm5t & communicate em]g5cies to ! ,dep>tm5t4 7,b7 ,! s]vices describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a7 %all be (f]$ to applicants on an opt-9 basis only & data ga9$ z a result ( su* opt-9 %all n be transf]r$ to any ?ird p>ty4 7,c7 ,) respect to ! s]vice describ$ 9 clause 7,a77i71 ! ,secret>y %all provide sep>ate options to opt-9 to email & text message notification1 z well z sep>ate options to opt-9 to process+-relat$ notifications & r5ewal eligibility notifications4 7,d7 ,z a condition = aw>d+ ! contracts describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a71 ! aw>dee %all demon/rate t x c beg9 te/s on ! solution )9 "o ye> ( ! aw>d ( ! contract & complete implem5tation1 includ+ bug fixes1 cyb]security audits1 & cu/om] s]vice te/+1 n lat] ?an ?ree ye>s f ! aw>d ( ! contract4 7#c7 7,a7 ,n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y1 9 consultation ) ! ,*ief ,in=mation ,(fic]1 %all aw>d a contract or contracts = ! expansion & ma9t5ance ( ! onl9e passport r5ewal sy/em to be able to accommodate bo? r\t9e fir/-"t adult applications & r5ewal adult passport applications4 7,b7 ,! contracts aw>d$ pursuant to subp>agraph 7,a7 %all cov] ! foll[+ s]vices3 7i7 ,a cu/om]-fri5dly int]net website or portal to facilitate int]net-bas$ submission ( adult passport applications4 7ii7 ,necess>y remote docum5t v]ification tools & infra/ructure1 to all[ = a passport transaction to be complet$ entirely remotely4 7iii7 ,necess>y in=mation te*nology infra/ructure n already ma9ta9$ by ! ,dep>tm5t4 7,c7 ,! expansion ( ! onl9e passport r5ewal sy/em & associat$ sy/ems %all1 ^u full implem5tation1 be able to accommodate suffici5t volume to process #ajj p]c5t ( expect$ r\t9e new & r5ewal adult passport applications = ! five ye>s foll[+ ! date on :i* ! sy/em is fully implem5t$4 7,d7 7i7 ,if applicable1 n lat] ?an two ye>s aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 s]vices contract$ pursuant to subp>agraph 7,a7 %all be c>ri$ out on a pilot basis4 7ii7 ,n lat] ?an ?ree ye>s aft] su* date ( enactm5t1 s]vices contract$ pursuant to subp>agraph 7,a7 %all be able to accommodate #be p]c5t ( new & r5ewal adult passport applications4 7iii7 ,n lat] ?an f\r ye>s aft] su* date ( enactm5t1 s]vices contract$ pursuant to subp>agraph 7,a7 %all be fully implem5t$4 7iv7 ,9 aw>d+ contracts pursuant to subp>agraph 7,a71 ! ,secret>y %all only consid] proposals t c reasonably be expect$ to meet ! timel9es describ$ 9 ?is subp>agraph4 7,e7 ,no?+ 9 ?is p>agraph %all be con/ru$ z au?orization to t]m9ate ! acceptance ( pap]-bas$ passport applications4 7#d7 7,a7 n lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,*ief ,in=mation ,(fic]1 9 coord9ation ) ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y1 %all aw>d a contract or contracts = ! provision ( rules-bas$ tools to scre5 onl9e passport r5ewal applications 9 :i* no biographical in=mation 0 *ang$ = citiz5%ip1 id5tity1 & entitlem5t aga9/ int]nal & comm]cial databases4 7,b7 ,! tools describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a7 %all be fully op]ational )9 "o ye> ( ! aw>d ( ! contract4 7,c7 ,! ,*ief ,in=mation ,(fic] %all ensure t ! use ( ! tools d n provide vectors = cyb]attack4 7,d7 ,! ,assi/ant ,secret>y %all ensure t ! tools describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a7 are implem5t$ consi/5t ) ! ma9t5ance ( passport integrity /&>ds4 7,e7 ,= purposes ( us+ ! tools describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a71 ! requirem5t t a passport be issu$ by ! p]sonnel describ$ 9 ! fir/ section ( ! ,act entitl$ 8,an ,act to regulate ! issue & validity ( passports1 & = o!r purposes01 approv$ ,july #c1 #aibf 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #baa;a71 %all be satisfi$ provid$ t su* p]sonnel ov]see ! tools describ$ 9 su* subp>agraph consi/5t ) ! requirem5ts 9 subp>agraph 7,d74 7c7 ,role ( ,*ief ,in=mation ,(fic] 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,*ief ,in=mation ,(fic]'s approval %all be requir$ be=e ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y aw>ds a contract pursuant to ?is section4 7#b7 ,relat+ to sy/ems ,) respect to ! contract+ & implem5tation ( ! sy/ems describ$ 9 subsection 7b71 ! ,*ief ,in=mation ,(fic] %all h-- 7,a7 f9al decision mak+ au?ority on ! te*nical feasibility & specifications1 cyb]security requirem5ts1 compatibility ) exi/+ ,dep>tm5t in=mation te*nology infra/ructure1 & ! feasibility ( timel9es f a te*nical /&po9t2 & 7,b7 f9al approval ( all te*nical matt]s be=e full implem5tation4 7#c7 ,evaluation ( proposals ,9 select+ ! s]vices describ$ 9 subsection 7b71 ! ,*ief ,in=mation ,(fic] %all include 9 ! crit]ia = selection-- 7,a7 ! ability ( ! sy/em to ma9ta9 security1 includ+ ! cyb]security1 /&>ds appropriate to ! ,unit$ ,/ates passport & to protect p]sonally id5tifiable in=mation2 7,b7 scalability to accommodate curr5t & future passport dem&2 & 7,c7 long-t]m viability & upgradability4 7d7 ,action plan 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y & ! ,*ief ,in=mation ,(fic] %all submit to ! appropriate congressional committees an action plan on h[ ! ,bureau plans to complete ! mod]nizations describ$ 9 ?is section & complete o!r ongo+ mod]nizations ( ! passport issuance process4 7#b7 ,elem5ts ,! action plan requir$ by p>agraph 7#a7 %all include ! foll[+ elem5ts3 7,a7 ,! implem5tation progress = ! in=mation te*nology solutions describ$ 9 subsection 7b74 7,b7 ,! specific implem5tation /eps = ! solutions describ$ 9 subsection 7b7 t ,bureau ( ,consul> ,affairs & ! ,bureau ( ,in=mation ,res\rce ,managem5t w take1 9 conjunction ) contract aw>dees1 to meet ! timel9es describ$ 9 subsection 7b74 7,c7 ,! expect$ co/ & timel9e = implem5tation ( ! in=mation te*nology solutions describ$ 9 subsection 7b74 7,d7 ,an evaluation ( ! in=mation te*nology solutions describ$ 9 subsection 7b7 to det]m9e :e!r ! full implem5tation ( su* solutions w require additional fund+ or au?orities1 includ+ budget e/imates & a description ( su* au?orities1 z appropriate4 7,e7 ,/eps1 processes1 & te*nologies ! ,*ief ,in=mation ,(fic] int5ds to use to ensure _w-class cyb]security /&>ds = protection ( passport applicant data & ! passport issuance process infra/ructure1 p>ticul>ly su* infra/ructure involv$ 9 adjudication ( passport applications4 7,f7 ,a /aff+ plan = ! f\r ye>s beg9n+ on ! fir/ day ( ! mon? dur+ :i* ! action plan w be submitt$ describ+ ! expect$ /aff+ ne$s ( ! ,bureau = ! passport issuance process4 7,g7 ,o!r specific plann$ /eps t ! ,bureau w take to a*ieve ! crit]ia describ$ 9 section #d4 7e7 ,ongo+ report+ ,n lat] ?an #ij days aft] ! int]im plan describ$ 9 subsection 7d71 & qu>t]ly !reaft] until su* "t z ! ,bureau has complet$ implem5tation ( ! items describ$ 9 subsection 7b71 ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y1 9 consultation ) ! ,*ief ,in=mation ,(fic]1 %all submit to ! appropriate congressional committees a report on ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,progress on ea* item describ$ 9 subsection 7b74 7#b7 ,additional mod]nizations ! ,bureau int5ds to adopt4 7#c7 ,*anges 9 ! co/ = implem5tation ( ! /eps describ$ 9 ! action plan1 if applicable4 7f7 ,=m ,! plans & report requir$ by ?is section %all be submitt$ 9 an unclassifi$ =m & may include classifi$ a annex1 if necess>y4 #g4 ,rese>* on comm]cially available in=mation te*nology solutions 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,9 conduct+ ! review requir$ by subsection 7a71 ! ,*ief ,in=mation ,(fic] %all solicit ! private sector = proposals to id5tify comm]cially available te*nologies t may be adopt$ by ! ,bureau to advance ! crit]ia describ$ 9 section #d4 7b7 ,requirem5ts ,n lat] ?an #fj days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 9 fur!rance ( ! requirem5t "u subsection 7a71 ! ,*ief ,in=mation ,(fic] %all-- 7#a7 publi% su* solicitation & ! process = respond+ to ! solicitation 9 ! ,f$]al ,regi/] & notify ! appropriate congressional committees !re(2 7#b7 solicit proposals = in=mation te*nology s]vices t improve any aspect ( ! passport issuance process1 includ+ ! onl9e passport r5ewal sy/em1 by all[+ x to meet "o or m ( ! crit]ia describ$ 9 section #d2 & 7#c7 e/abli% a team1 9 coop]ation ) ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y1 ( appropriate ,dep>tm5t employees & contractors to s]ve z ! po9t ( contact =1 & to consult on policy1 legal1 & te*nical aspects ( ! passport issuance process ) entities consid]+ submitt+ a proposal4 7c7 ,evaluation ,= ea* su* proposal1 ! ,*ief ,in=mation ,(fic] %all evaluate ! co/1 security1 & likely b5efits1 includ+ b5efits to cu/om] satisfaction1 digitization1 & adjudication /reaml9+4 7d7 ,rule ( con/ruction ,no?+ 9 ?is section may be con/ru$ z an (f] to procure s]vices propos$ to ! ,bureau pursuant to ! solicitation ( proposals requir$ by p>agraph 7#a7 or z a gu>antee ( a contract = su* s]vices4 7e7 ,report ,n lat] ?an "o ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,*ief ,in=mation ,(fic]1 9 coord9ation ) ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y1 %all submit to ! appropriate congressional committees a report-- 7#a7 describ+ opportunities to lev]age ! private sector & comm]cially available te*nologies to /reaml9e1 exp$ite1 or o!rwise enhance ! passport issuance process2 & 7#b7 conta9+ a summ>y ( ea* proposal made pursuant to ?is section & :e!r ! ,secret>y int5ds to adopt ea* proposal4 #h4 ,,gao report 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an #cj days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,comptroll] ,g5]al ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates %all initiate a compreh5sive review ( ! passport issuance process design$ to enable ! ,bureau to bett] meet ! crit]ia describ$ 9 section #d by id5tify+-- 7#a7 weaknesses )9 su* process2 7#b7 additional opportunities to lev]age comm]cially available te*nologies & global be/ practices2 7#c7 opportunities to /reaml9e1 exp$ite1 & o!rwise enhance su* process4 7b7 ,elem5ts ,! review requir$ by subsection 7a7 %all include ! foll[+ elem5ts3 7#a7 ,a te*nical audit ( ! ,travel ,docum5t ,issuance ,sy/em 7,,tdis7 & o!r passport-issuance in=mation te*nology sy/ems t seeks to id5tify-- 7,a7 aspects ( ! sy/ems1 includ+ sy/em ar*itecture1 t may impact its p]=mance1 scalability1 & uptime2 7,b7 s+le po9ts ( failure )9 ! sy/ems2 7,c7 pot5tial areas :]e comm]cially available in=mation te*nology solutions c\ld be employ$ to mod]nize ! sy/ems1 & ! likely co/s to ! ,dep>tm5t ( acquir+ & implem5t+ su* solutions2 & 7,d7 aspects1 includ+ /aff+1 t may impact ! spe$ ( resolv+ te*nical issues )9 ! sy/ems4 7#b7 ,an evaluation ( ! importance ( ea* human aspect ( ! passport issuance process to det]m9e :e!r su* aspects c be replac$ by secure digital processes4 7#c7 ,bas$ on consultations conduct$ pursuant to subsection 7c71 a discussion ( global be/ practices & /&>ds1 includ+ b5*m>ks = application fees & process+ times = passport issuance4 7#d7 ,measures ! ,comptroll] believes ! ,bureau c\ld take to r$uce ! co/ ( ! passport issuance process or ( application fees or sur*>ges4 7#e7 ,an analysis ( pot5tial p>tn]%ips ) o!r ,f$]al ag5cies1 includ+ ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,homel& ,security & its compon5t ag5cies1 ! ,social ,security ,adm9i/ration1 & ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,po/al ,s]vice1 :i* c\ld support ! id5tity v]ification & resolution compon5t ( ! passport issuance process4 7#f7 ,:e!r p>tn]%ips ) ! dep>tm5ts ( motor vehicles ( ! sev]al ,/ates to collect & electronically submit passport applications1 includ+ pictures1 fees1 & digital copies ( id5tity docum5ts1 to ! ,bureau w\ld be a viable & secure me?od ( passport application submission4 7#g7 ,an evaluation ( o!r ,unit$ ,/ates ,gov]nm5t hold+s1 includ+ biometric databases1 t c\ld be qu]i$ to support ! ,dep>tm5t's id5tity resolution processes to increase ! security ( ! id5tity v]ification & resolution compon5t ( ! passport issuance process4 7c7 ,rese>* on global be/ practices ,9 conduct+ ! review requir$ by subsection 7a71 ! ,comptroll] %all consult ) ! ,gov]nm5ts ( ! ,republic ( ,korea & ,india & ) no few] ?an f\r o!r =eign gov]nm5ts to asc]ta9 global be/ practices = passport process+ & to id5tify processes1 approa*es1 & te*nologies t may be useful to in=m ! mod]nization ( ! passport issuance process4 7d7 ,submission ,^u completion ( ! review requir$ by subsection 7a71 ! ,comptroll] %all submit to ! appropriate congressional committees1 to ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y1 & to ! ,*ief ,in=mation ,(fic] a report t conta9s ! results ( ! review4 7e7 ,recomm5dations implem5tation report ,n lat] ?an #ij days aft] ! date on :i* ! report requir$ by subsection 7d7 is submitt$1 & qu>t]ly !reaft]1 ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y & ! ,*ief ,in=mation ,(fic] %all submit to ! appropriate congressional committees a report on progress t[>d resolution ( ea* recomm5dation made 9 ! report requir$ by subsection 7d7 & plann$ /eps t w be tak5 to resolve ea* recomm5dation ov] ! next qu>t]4 #i4 ,def9itions ,9 ?is ,act-- 7#a7 ! t]m appropriate congressional committees means-- 7,a7 ! ,committee on ,=eign ,affairs & ! ,committee on ,appropriations ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives2 & 7,b7 ! ,committee on ,=eign ,relations & ! ,committee on ,appropriations ( ! ,s5ate2 7#b7 ! t]m 8,assi/ant ,secret>y0 means ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y ( ,/ate = ,consul> ,affairs2 7#c7 ! t]m ,bureau means ! ,bureau ( ,consul> ,affairs ( ! ,dep>tm5t2 7#d7 ! t]m 8,*ief ,in=mation ,(fic]0 means ! ,*ief ,in=mation ,(fic] ( ! ,bureau2 7#e7 except z o!rwise provid$1 ! t]m ,dep>tm5t means ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,/ate2 7#f7 ! t]m passport issuance process-- 7,a7 means all /eps ( passport issuance = a new passport or r5ewal ( a passport1 z appropriate1 f ! applicant's submission ( docum5ts ?r\gh docum5t process+ & application adjudication to mail+ ( pr9t$ passports2 & 7,b7 includes-- 7i7 ! passport application submission1 :i* includes-- 7,i7 ! portion ( ! passport issuance process f & includ+ passport acceptance by a passport acceptance ag5t until docum5ts are receiv$ by ! ,dep>tm5t2 & 7,,ii7 paym5t process+ & mail %ipp+ times2 & 7ii7 ! passport application process+1 :i* includes ! portion ( ! passport issuance process f ! reception ( complet$ applications & _! di/ribution to passport ag5cies = adjudication until f9i%$ passports & application docum5ts are mail$ to applicants2 & 7#g7 ! t]m ,secret>y means ! ,secret>y ( ,/ate4