FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Members of Congress want to delay a new security rule that requires Americans to show passports at all U.S. border crossings next year.
The reason is they're hoping to avoid a repeat of what happened last summer when there was a massive backlog of passport applications. Lawmakers say that under part of the major spending bill that will be voted on this week, the border passport rule would be moved back even further to June 1st, 2009.
The Bush administration says it opposes the measure and that the Department of Homeland Security still expects to go ahead with implementing the planned passport rule this coming summer.
But some in Congress, especially those in border states where tourism could be affected, insist the government should have more time to implement the law and do it in a way that won't cause the "passport headaches" we saw this year.
Of course, that still leaves us with plenty of other "headaches" regarding this nation's open borders and the need to secure them.
Here’s my question to you: Should the U.S. further delay a border security rule to give people more time to meet stricter passport requirements?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Stephen writes:
Delaying the requirement for passports at the land borders won't eliminate the passport delays like we experienced last summer, it will just postpone them for a year. People will forget all about the requirement until a few months before the deadline approaches and then everyone will overload the passport offices with their applications, just like last year. Out of sight, out of mind.
Kathy in Omaha, Nebraska writes:
Jack, Of course we should once again delay passports. We should also give everyone crossing our borders a welcome basket, map, personal guide, hotel room etc. This do-nothing government and all agencies in my opinion are overpaid, underworked, ignorant excuses. As for states along the border, what's more important: securing the U.S. or additional income? This entire situation makes me sick!
Jason in Baton Rouge, Louisiana writes:
No, they should not give people more time. This is past the point of being ridiculous. We have had 6 years to get this fixed and no one seems to want to get it done. Congress is too busy posturing and funding pet projects while the president is masquerading as a conservative but acting like a liberal. Both Congress and the White House are so unbelievably out of touch with the wants and needs of the American people it is almost unfathomable.
Robert in Tacoma, Washington writes:
I think it is about time that passports were required for crossing our borders. I spent 24 years in the active military, with all but four of those overseas. We needed passports wherever we went.
Waymon in Peoria, Arizona writes:
Jack, My wife and I recently applied for a passport and received them within 3 weeks. I don't understand the problem. Why should the deadline be extended to accommodate those waiting until the last minute to apply?
Mike writes:
Screw the passports, finish the fence.
Maybe Jack will read yours tomorrow.