Republican Plan Would Make It Easier to Revoke US Passports: What to Know

Source: Newsweek

Published Sep 15, 2025 at 1:03 PM EDT | Updated Sep 16, 2025 at 7:10 AM EDT


A new Republican bill would make it easier for the federal government to revoke or refuse to issue passports to American citizens. A House Foreign Affairs Committee spokesperson responded to concerns about the bill in a statement to Newsweek.

"This provision is just one small part of a larger comprehensive, State Department Authorization Act that the House Foreign Affairs Committee introduced last week. And while preventing someone convicted of aiding and abetting human traffickers and foreign terrorist organizations from fleeing the country shouldn't be controversial, the committee will not allow this distraction to overshadow the bipartisan effort restore command and control of the State Department to the Secretary. As such, the committee will consider an amendment to remove it from the bill during markup of HR 5300," the statement reads.

Why It Matters

The federal government's approach to those who have participated in pro-Palestinian protests has become a major free speech. Cases such as those of Rümeysa Öztürk, a Tufts University student who was arrested after penning an opinion piece critical of Israel, have underscored those concerns. Critics have warned that the new House GOP bill's vague language could leave open the possibility of similar cases for American citizens who are seeking to obtain or already have a passport.

What to Know

Representative Brian Mast, the Florida Republican who chairs the committee, introduced a sweeping authorization bill that would that includes myriad measures pertaining to the State Department, including one piece that would give Secretary of State Marco Rubio greater authority to revoke American passports for those who have supported foreign terrorist organizations.

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/republican-plan-state-secretary-revoke-passports-2130092