Today, U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor (D-FL14) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL27) led a bipartisan group of their Florida colleagues calling for emergency assistance for our neighbors as we enter the busy travel season in light of the recently closed Miami Passport Agency. 
 
“The sudden closure of the Miami Passport Agency due to water damage presents a difficult problem to my neighbors and all Floridians, especially as we enter the busy travel season. Referring neighbors and families to passport offices in New Orleans or Atlanta for emergencies is unacceptable,” U.S. Rep. Castor said. “I am being joined by a bipartisan group of Florida Congressional members on behalf of our neighbors across the state in urging Secretary Tillerson to take action quickly and help those in need of assistance until the Miami Passport Agency office can be reopened. This is extremely disruptive to Floridians, especially during the upcoming ‘passport surge.’” 
 
The State Department website provides more information about where to call or visit for passport matters, depending on travel date. Some will require traveling to New Orleans or Atlanta. The Miami Passport Agency closed Sunday. 
 
Rep. Ros-Lehtinen represents the Miami area and Rep. Castor has worked to improve passport processing and open more passport offices in her Tampa district. Today, Reps. Castor and Ros-Lehtinen urged maintaining a Miami Passport Agency by opening another temporary site in South Florida. 
 
“I am proud to serve with members like Ms. Ros-Lehtinen and the other bipartisan members that joined us,” U.S. Rep. Castor said. “This letter proves that time and time again when it comes to helping our Florida neighbors cut ‘red tape’ and working through bureaucracy, we always find a way to work together.”
 
The following representatives also signed today’s letter:  Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-FL25; Rep. Lois Frankel, D-FL21; Rep. Ted Deutch, D-FL22; Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-FL20; Rep. Dennis Ross, R-FL15; Rep. Charlie Crist, D-FL13; Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-FL26; Rep. Bill Posey, R-FL8; Rep. Brian Mast, R-FL18; and Rep. Thomas J. Rooney, R-FL17.
 
Read the letter here. 
 
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