US Passport Fees

I'm pretty sure he could. I had my passport renewed in December 2016. It cost $110, if I remember correctly. That's a lot of money for somebody who literally just barely gets by from paycheck to paycheck.

-- Ron

But I wouldn't be too shocked if it needed congressional approval.

But I could imagine this as something that might get bi-partisan support. After all the GOP is all for better ID's, right?

Most Americans are afraid/terrified to travel to other countries! Hell, many of them don't even travel to other states. When they do travel, it's to enclosed resorts or on cruise ships; neither of those really expose one to the wonders of the world.

Too many of our fellow citizens are nearly totally ignorant about the rest of the world. They don't know geography or the history of other nations. Damn, they don't even know American history! They have no idea of the scale and scope of other peoples. They think most of the world is undeveloped, except for the cities, of course. Xenophobia has a long and ugly history in the United States. People that closed-minded are not going to be curious about other cultures even if they speak English.

I've traveled extensively and love to see new places, meet people, eat new foods and just breathe the air of different exciting exotic environs. I cannot comprehend those folks who are stay-at-homes.

As to your suggestion, passport fees aren't that much and the ID is the best you can get. It lasts for 10 years and is backed by the full faith ands credit of the United States of America. I really don't think the cost of the fee is what is holding Americans back from foreign travel. But when my passport needs renewal in a few years, if they State Department has followed your idea, I'll be happy to not have to pay the fee!

Enjoy your weekend, CloudWatcher.

But eliminating passport fees would at least remove one barrier (excuse) for people that are considering travel.

But the darker vision is needing a lot of emergency passports ($$) for an international underground railroad to get abortion care for people here ... if the crazies are able to ban abortion in all 50 states.

That's what's going to be needed soon if they ever get control again.

I wasn't clueing into that focus. It's an excellent point and I'm sorry I missed it.

We're in New York City and the governor has made it clear that women's rights will be protected and declared our state a sanctuary for anyone who wants an abortion. Thankfully, the Republicans haven't made passports necessary for travel between the states!

For those 30 or so states that have bans in place, they are going to suffer the burden of their actions.

Another abortion-rights state. But if the GOP takes Congress and the Presidency, you can bet we'll have federal abortion bans by the end of their term ... unless there is a major change in the Supreme Court.

Canada might have to put up a wall to keep out all the women needing abortions (just a joke ... I hope).