No More Passport Applications At Non-Profit Libraries

NORWICH, Conn. (AP) — The State Department has ordered nonprofit public libraries to stop taking passport applications, cutting off a popular local service. In late fall, the agency started sending cease and desist orders, which take effect on Feb. 13. It says these libraries cannot collect and keep passport processing fees under federal rules. Librarians say the service has worked for years and residents still call every day. Members of Congress from several states pushed back in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. They call the change abrupt. Pennsylvania members of Congress have proposed a bill that keeps eligible nonprofit libraries in the program.