1. United States
2. N.C.
3. Letter

I am extremely concerned about reports of a proposed closure of U.S. Consulates abroad. While there has been little media coverage on this issue, a recent Wall Street Journal article about USAID briefly mentioned consulate closures in Europe. This would have a devastating impact on U.S. citizens living overseas. U.S. consulates provide critical services, including passports, Social Security numbers, birth certificates, and other essential documentation. These offices are operating at full capacity—their appointment slots are always booked, and their waiting rooms are constantly full. There is no waste, fraud, or abuse occurring at these consulates—only necessary services for American citizens. In Germany alone, there are tens of thousands of U.S. citizens, including many U.S. veterans. Unlike every other country in the world except Eritrea, the United States requires its citizens abroad to file and pay U.S. taxes, often leading to double taxation. Given these obligations, we must have access to the government services we are entitled to. Berlin alone cannot handle the overwhelming demand for consular services currently provided by multiple locations. The closure of consulates will create severe delays and hardship for Americans abroad. I urge you to investigate this matter and take action to prevent the shutdown of these vital offices. Thank you for your time and attention to this urgent issue. I look forward to your response.