The U.S. Congress and 9/11 Commission called for strengthened travel documents to prevent acts of terrorism in our country. So, in January of 2007, the State Department changed passport requirements with regards to travel to Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda. As a result, there have been long delays and service disruptions in people receiving their passports. Please allow at least 12 to 14 weeks for the application and delivery process of your passport to be completed. If you are within two weeks of your date of departure and have not received your passport, we can request that the National Passport Center expedite the process, and will do our best to ensure you receive it, but cannot guarantee delivery.

Can you help me with a problem that involves a state or local agency?

Although our office is limited to direct assistance with federal issues, we work closely with state and local service providers, and can often assist you in finding the right person at the agency you are having difficulties with. We can also assist you in finding out who your state legislator is, and who your county/city officials are, so that you can contact the right person directly. If you have an urgent need - for instance, if your utilities are about to be shut off - please call us and we can refer you the proper local assistance agency/organization.

Can you assist me in receiving or replacing medals I earned while serving my country?

Our office can contact the Department of Defense on your behalf and inquire about the status of your medal after you have submitted a formal request. You can obtain the formal request form (Standard Form 180) from the National Personnel Records Center. After completing the form, simply mail it to the appropriate office.

Can you help me with filling out an application for federal benefits?

We routinely assist people in their applications for Social Security, Medicare, VA and other such benefits. If you have already made your application, are in the process of an appeal, or have an unfavorable decision from an administrative agency, we encourage you to contact us, so we can determine if the office can assist you.

Can you let me know the application process for an Academy Nomination?

Members of Congress are authorized to nominate candidates for appointment to the U.S Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. This can be a highly competitive process, with only a limited number of nominations available. There are also several steps in the application process, so candidates are advised to contact our office early in their junior year of high school for guidance in the process.

Please contact the Waterloo, Dubuque, or Davenport office with any casework inquiries.