House Bill Would Require Passport Revocation For Parents Owing More Than $2,500 In Child Support
Washington, D.C. — A new House bill would require the State Department to revoke a U.S. passport held by anyone who falls more than $2,500 behind on child support, a shift supporters say would strengthen enforcement and speed payments to children.
Introduced in late December by Rep. Beth Van Duyne of Texas and Rep. Jimmy Panetta of California, H.R. 6903 is titled the “Ensuring Children Receive Support Act.” It has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee and, for relevant sections, the Foreign Affairs Committee.
The bill would amend Section 452(k) of the Social Security Act, changing current passport-related enforcement language to make revocation mandatory once the federal government receives certification that an individual’s child support arrears exceed $2,500. The proposal also adds a requirement that the government notify the individual of the intent to take that action.
For families, the practical impact could be immediate: parents who travel for work, military-related duties, or international family obligations could lose the ability to use a valid passport if they cross the arrears threshold. Custodial parents and guardians, meanwhile, could see additional leverage that may encourage quicker payment or payment-plan compliance.
What parents should know: If you’re unsure of your balance, check your state child support agency portal, confirm your contact information is current, and ask about payment plans before scheduling international travel.
Next, the bill would need committee action (such as a hearing or markup) before it could advance to a full House vote. Families can monitor updates through official congressional bill trackers.
This article was produced by an education parenting today journalist with the assistance of AI. This is not legal advice. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
