The new bill authored by U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood in the U.S. House aims to eliminate standard fees for passport cards, seeking to increase accessibility for U.S. citizens, according to the U.S. Congress.
H.R.7782 was introduced on March 4, 2026 during the 2026 regular session of the 119th Congress. The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill prohibits the Secretary of State from charging a fee for the issuance or reissuance of a passport card, aiming to enhance accessibility to passport cards for U.S. citizens. The measure overrides existing regulations set by the Passport Act of 1920, ensuring that individuals can obtain or renew their passport cards without incurring standard fees. However, the bill allows for expedited processing fees to remain in effect, meaning that those seeking faster service may still be charged. If enacted, this legislation would streamline access to passport cards, potentially benefiting those who rely on them for travel within certain regions.
The bill was introduced only by Rep. Lauren Underwood (Democrat-IL-14th District).
Since the beginning of the current session, Rep. Underwood has introduced another 24 bills.
Congressional bills can originate in either the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate, except for revenue-related measures, which must begin in the House. After introduction, bills are assigned to committees for review, hearings, amendments and debate before they can advance to a vote in each chamber. If both chambers approve identical versions, the legislation is sent to the president, who may sign it into law or veto it. Congress operates in two-year terms, with each term numbered sequentially and divided into two annual sessions. The legislative process and official bill records are maintained by the U.S. Congress and published through Congress.gov.
Lauren Underwood is a Representative from Illinois, elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Sixteenth and to the three succeeding Congresses starting January 3, 2019. She holds a B.S.N. from the University of Michigan, awarded in 2008, and an M.S.N./M.P.H. from Johns Hopkins University, obtained in 2009.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| H.R.7782 | 03/04/2026 | American Passport Card Accessibility Act |
| H.R.6776 | 12/17/2025 | Farmers to Families Act |
| H.R.6775 | 12/17/2025 | New Markets for Farmers and Families Act |
| H.R.6607 | 12/11/2025 | FAAN Act |
| H.R.6370 | 12/03/2025 | Baby Changing in Health Centers Act |
| H.R.6238 | 11/20/2025 | NIH IMPROVE Act |
| H.R.6074 | 11/18/2025 | To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the enhancement of the health care premium tax credit. |
| H.R.6020 | 11/12/2025 | To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14855 South Van Dyke Road in Plainfield, Illinois, as the “Staff Sergeant Jose Dueñez Jr. Post Office Building”. |
| H.R.5665 | 09/30/2025 | ACE Veterans Act |
| H.R.4555 | 07/21/2025 | Student Loan Contract Act of 2025 |
| H.R.4428 | 07/16/2025 | Strong Farms, Strong Future Act |
| H.R.4272 | 07/02/2025 | Prioritizing Rural Hospitals Act |
| H.R.3480 | 05/19/2025 | Health Coverage for IVF Act of 2025 |
| H.R.3091 | 04/30/2025 | Health Savings and Affordability for Fertility Act |
| H.R.2529 | 04/01/2025 | Convenient Contraception Act |
| H.R.2234 | 03/18/2025 | Ensuring Veterans Timely Access to Anesthesia Care Act of 2025 |
| H.R.2023 | 03/11/2025 | Women’s Retirement Protection Act |
| H.R.1647 | 02/27/2025 | Tribal Climate Health Assurance Act of 2025 |
| H.R.1646 | 02/27/2025 | Lactation Spaces for Veteran Moms Act |
| H.R.1645 | 02/27/2025 | Climate and Health Protection Act |
| H.R.1644 | 02/27/2025 | Copay Fairness for Veterans Act |
| H.R.1035 | 02/05/2025 | Job Protection Act |
| H.R.248 | 01/09/2025 | Baby Changing on Board Act |
| H.R.247 | 01/09/2025 | Health Care Affordability Act of 2025 |
| H.R.246 | 01/09/2025 | SALT Fairness for Working Families Act |
