BREAKING NEWS: Democrats Slam Proposal to Give Marco Rubio Power to Revoke Passports
In a stunning move, the House Foreign Affairs Committee killed a GOP proposal that would have given Secretary of State Marco Rubio unilateral power to revoke American passports over alleged terror ties. The proposal, introduced by Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), was met with fierce opposition from Democrats and civil liberties groups.
Timeline:
September 18, 2025: The proposal was first floated during a press conference at Chequers, the UK Prime Minister's country estate.
Last week: Rep. Mast introduced the State Department reorganization bill, which included the provision to give Rubio power over passports.
Sunday: Mast withdrew the passport-revocation amendment from his own bill following an online backlash.
Thursday: The House Foreign Affairs Committee formally approved the withdrawal of the amendment.
Immediate Impact and Response:
The proposal's defeat is seen as a major victory for civil liberties groups, who argued that it would have given Rubio unchecked power to revoke passports. Democrats slammed the idea, calling it "draconian" and "un-American." Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, stated, "This proposal was a clear overreach by the administration and a threat to our fundamental rights."
Background Context:
The proposal would have allowed Rubio to refuse to issue passports or revoke them from individuals he determined had provided material support to terrorists. This move comes as Rubio has been pushing to strip visas from individuals with alleged ties to terrorism.
What Happens Next:
While the proposal is dead for now, its defeat may not be the final word on the matter. The State Department reorganization bill still needs to pass through Congress, and it's unclear whether Mast will reintroduce the passport-revocation provision in a future bill. One thing is certain: this battle is far from over.
*This story is developing. Information compiled from Theintercept reporting.*
