Speech #710207396

Chairman. this bill amends the existing passport law so as to permit the holder of an American passport to renew it so that it would be valid for a period of six years instead of for two years. as under the present law. The purpose of the amendment herein proposed is perfectly plain and is unanimously recommended by our committee after exhaustive hearings and after the receipt of letters of indorsement from leading business men in all sections of the country. Section 2 of existing law reads as follows: That the validity of a passport or visa shall be limited to a period of two years: Provided. That the Secretary of State may limit the validity of a passport or visa to a shorter period and that no Immigration visa shall be issued for a longer period than that specified in the immigration act of 1924 or amendments thereto : And provided further. That a passport may be renewed without any additional charge under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of State. and at his discretion to bona fide teachers. but the final date of expiration shall not be more than four years from the original date of issue. This made a distinction between the business man or tourist and the teacher. At the hearings representatives appeared and were heard from the Department of State and the Department of Commerce. the two branches of the Government immediately concerned with this legislation. which has their hearty indorsement. The principal tiing that this amendment seeks to obtain is the matter of convenience to those of our people who. for business or pleasure. find it necessary to go abroad. and who in the past complain of the inconvenience that comes to them in connection not only with the necessity of obtaining frequent passports but the many visas the traveler is compelled to get at great expense in order to conduct his business in many of the foreign countries he must visit in the pursuance of his profession. However. practically every witness that appeared before the committee in the course of the bearing stressed the matter of convenience as the most desirable feature of the proposed amendment. It was brought out that many governments furnish their nationals with passports that extend for five years. namely.