A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House voice vote
- In Senate committee
The House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together): no member's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This Act, known as the "Ensuring Children Receive Support Act," changes how passports are handled for individuals with unpaid child support. It requires the Secretary of State to revoke a United States passport upon receiving certification from the Secretary of Health and Human Services that an individual owes more than $2,500 in child support. The bill amends the Social Security Act to mandate revocation rather than giving discretion to restrict or limit. An exception allows for a temporary, limited-duration passport if an individual abroad needs to return to the United States on an emergency basis. These changes are scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2026.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +4
Would children be better off under this?
The bill strengthens the enforcement of child support payments which directly benefits children.
- Scored +3
Would women be better off under this?
The bill facilitates more consistent child support payments which often disproportionately benefit women receiving support.
- Scored +3
Does this make child care cost less?
The bill aims to increase the collection of child support funds which can be used for child care needs.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Mandatory Passport Revocation: The bill shifts the authority from a discretionary action to a requirement that the Secretary of State revoke passports once a child support arrearage exceeds $2,500 (Section 2, subsection a). This could ensure that individuals are held accountable for unpaid support.
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Emergency Return Provision: The Department of State is authorized to issue a temporary, limited-duration passport for individuals abroad who need to return to the United States on an emergency basis (Section 2, subsection b). This provides a way for people to travel home during an emergency despite the revocation.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Loss of Passport: Individuals with a child support arrearage exceeding $2,500 will have their United States passports revoked (Section 2, subsection a). This could prevent individuals from traveling internationally.
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Limited Emergency Travel: While an exception exists for emergencies, the temporary passport issued for returning to the United States is limited in duration (Section 2, subsection b).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill strengthens the enforcement of child support payments which directly benefits children. Would women be better off under this? — The bill facilitates more consistent child support payments which often disproportionately benefit women receiving support. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Increasing child support collection can improve the financial stability of low-income households receiving support.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make child care cost less? — The bill aims to increase the collection of child support funds which can be used for child care needs. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — By mandating passport revocation for arrears, the bill incentivizes the payment of child support which can help lift children out of poverty.
- 4/28/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 4/27/2026
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-624, Part I.
- Committee on Foreign Affairs discharged.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 541.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3113)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3113)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6903.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3113-3114)
- Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 1/14/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 2.
- 12/18/2025
- 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.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Jimmy PanettaDemocrat · California