A group of House Republicans have introduced legislation that would require the State Department to use U.S.-made components for new electronic passport and to assemble the booklets here.
The bill is aimed at improving the security of passports and notes that all U.S. passports currently use foreign components and are assembled with a computer chip inside the cover in Thailand.
“National security is best served when the manufacture and assembly of United States passports occurs within the borders of the United States,” the legislation states.
The bill, introduced earlier this week, also states that the U.S. government must set the highest standards to protect the privacy and security of U.S. passports and that the State Department should safeguard passport production.
“Allowing American passports to be manufactured and assembled overseas raises serious national security concerns,” said Rep. Bill Sali, Idaho Republican and a key co-sponsor. “Outsourcing work that has the potential to jeopardize the privacy and security of American citizens must be avoided.”
Rep. Duncan Hunter, California Republican and ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, who is also a main sponsor, said: “The foreign production of our passports presents significant security concerns, particularly when considering that this form of identification is now a requirement for entry into the U.S.”
There is absolutely no justification for outsourcing our nation’s passport production,” Mr. Hunter said.
The legislation would require the secretary of state to use only U.S.-manufactured electronic components for passports and a new electronic passport card.
Also, the bill would require the secretary to ensure that passports are produced under direct supervision of U.S. government employees.
The legislation followed the disclosure in The Washington Times that two European companies Infineon and Gimalto produce all radio frequency identification chips used in all new passports.
The chips are pressed into passport covers, along with a wire antenna, in a factory north of Bangkok, raising concerns about the security of the chips and passports.
Nine other Republicans joined in sponsoring the bill, that was introduced Wednesday.
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