"U.S.-made chips in passports sought"

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U.S.-made chips in passports sought

April 12, 2008

By Bill Gertz - A group of House Republicans have introduced
legislation that would require the State Department to use U.S.-made
components for new electronic passports and to assemble the booklets
here.

The bill is aimed at improving the security of passports, and points
out 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 bill 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 follows 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.


Republicans: No more passport outsourcing

April 11, 2008

By Bill Gertz - 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.