Skip to Content

Frequently Asked Questions

Pennsylvania state icon

The sections of the Frequently Asked Questions page are: General Federal Casework, Specific Federal Casework, Local Issues, and Legislative Issues.

General Federal Casework: 

How do I receive congressional assistance with a federal agency?  

  • Once you have contacted one of my offices concerning a federal agency, appropriate assistance can be determined. If my office needs to contact an agency on your behalf, you will be sent a privacy release form. Please complete the form, and once it is returned, a member of my staff will contact you and then the federal agency on your behalf. A response should be received from the agency within 30-45 days. This is a standard guideline and may vary for each case. Once an agency response is received, my office will notify you by phone or email. If you have an ongoing claim, further information about your situation may be requested from the agency. 

What is a Congressional Privacy Act Release Form? 

  • A completed privacy release form is required before a federal agency can be contacted on your behalf. This written consent is required through the Privacy Release Act of 1974. This form allows federal agencies to release pertinent data about your case to Congressional Offices. It should include a brief and concise statement regarding your concern/request. 

Can Representative Houlahan appeal a decision made by a federal agency regarding a request? 

  • My office can make an inquiry on your behalf about the status of a pending case or for clarification on the reasons for a denial, but you should first contact the agency for information on your appeal options if your case has been denied. 

Is Representative Houlahan able to provide me with assistance in legal matters? 

  • No, Congressional ethics rules prohibit my staff or me from intervening in matters involving civil or criminal cases. 

Can Representative Houlahan help me if I am not a resident of Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District? 

  • While my office welcomes the opportunity to assist as many people as possible, if you do not live in PA-06, you should contact the Congressperson who represents where you reside. You may locate your U.S. Representative at House.gov and U.S. Senator at Senate.gov. 

My family is traveling to D.C. and wants to tour the U.S. Capitol Building. How can we go about scheduling a tour? 

  • Our office is only able to request tours on your behalf for the U.S. Capitol, White House, FBI, and Bureau of Printing and Engraving. If you are interested in touring any of these federal buildings, please submit a tour request form on our website here. 

 

Specific Federal Casework: 

I (or someone I know) am seeking U.S. Citizenship and are having issues with the process. Is Rep. Houlahan able to help us? 

  • Yes, our office works with U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services (USCIS) on immigration and citizenship cases. If you are seeking assistance, please visit our website and submit a casework form here. 

Can Representative Houlahan help me with my Global Entry application? 

  • No, unfortunately, Global Entry is a paid privilege and is regulated by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. Since Global Entry is a matter of security, we can’t urge them to expedite the application – nor can we submit inquiries on the status of the application.

I'm having an emergency abroad and need help from the Embassy. Can you contact them? 

 

  • Yes! If you cannot reach a U.S. Embassy while abroad, please get in touch with our office as soon as possible.

I need an emergency passport appointment for urgent or emergency travel. Can you help? 

  • Maybe, before requesting help with securing a passport appointment for urgent/emergency travel, please check to see if any appointments are available at a passport facility near you.  

Can Representative Houlahan help me speed up the processing of my USCIS or NVC case? 

  • Please review this website to see if your circumstances fall into one of the categories that qualify for an expedited case. Expedited processing is determined by a special team at your application’s service center, and they have sole discretion over this decision. We can submit an expedited request for you, but please be sure to include a signed letter stating your request for expedited processing as well as documentation that serves as proof of your urgent need to expedite your case.  


Local Issues: 

I am a senior living in Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District, and I would like to apply for the Senior SEPTA pass, is your office able to help me? 

  • No, unfortunately, we cannot. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania issues Senior SEPTA cards, so you must contact your state representative; you can find your representative here. 

Can your office help with my unemployment claims? 

  • Since unemployment payments are issued through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, our office cannot assist with that benefit, but you can contact your state representative. Find your representative here. 

 

Legislative Issues: 

I want to know where Rep. Houlahan stands on a certain issue or how she voted on a piece of legislation. Where would I best find this information?  

  • To find out where Representative Houlahan stands on specific issues, please visit our website's "Legislative Priorities" tab. To view how she voted on a piece of legislation, please see the "Voting Record" tab or visit Congress.gov. 

My family is traveling to D.C. and wants to tour the U.S. Capitol Building. How can we go about scheduling a tour? 

  • Our office is only able to request tours on your behalf for the U.S. Capitol, White House, FBI, and Bureau of Printing and Engraving. If you are interested in touring any of these federal buildings, please submit a tour request form on our website here.