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Congress·In Progress·H.R. 6903

Congress Targets Passports of People Owing Over $2,500 in Child Support, With Emergency Return Option

Ensuring Children Receive Support Act

2 months ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

House
Senate
President
Law

Key Points

  • This bill would require the State Department to revoke a U.S. passport after Health and Human Services certifies someone owes over $2,500 in unpaid child support.
  • It changes the rule from “can” to “must,” meaning passport revocation would be mandatory once the government confirms the debt meets the threshold.
  • The State Department would also have to notify the person that it intends to revoke the passport.
  • If the person is outside the U.S. and has an emergency need to come home, the State Department could issue a short-term passport only for the trip back to the United States.
  • People who travel for work or family could lose the ability to take international trips until they address the overdue child support.
Consumer ProtectionForeign Policy

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

How this policy affects specific groups of people

Mixed Impacts(1)
Student
Neutral
Positive Impacts(1)
Child Tax Credit
Helps

Milestones

3 milestones4 actions
Jan 14, 2026House

Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 2.

Jan 14, 2026House

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Dec 18, 2025House

Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Dec 18, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

After the bill is enacted and takes effect

Passport revocation becomes mandatory (not optional) for people certified as owing over $2,500

If you are over the $2,500 overdue mark and get certified by HHS, you are much more likely to lose your passport instead of the government choosing a lesser restriction.

Shortly before revocation action in an individual case

State Department notifies the person before revoking the passport

You should get a notice of intent first, giving you a chance to act quickly (for example, pay down arrears below the threshold or resolve an error) before losing travel ability.

As emergencies arise after the law takes effect

Temporary return-only passports can be issued for emergencies to people stuck abroad

If you are outside the U.S. and your passport is revoked, you may still be able to get home, but the document would be limited and not restore normal international travel.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Ensuring Children Receive Support Act

Bill NumberHR 6903
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionOrdered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 2.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(1)
D: 1

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.