Senators on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee pressed the administration’s nominee for undersecretary for management on July 22 about consular operations, staffing at the National Passport Center and National Visa Center, and the status of Afghan special immigrant visa (SIV) processing.

Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen framed the issue in constituent terms, saying the Bureau of Consular Affairs “issues passports to Americans” and “processes visas for foreign nationals,” and calling attention to long passport turnaround times after the COVID‑era travel surge. Shaheen noted both centers are located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and that the National Visa Center processed “more than 400,000 visas last year” while the National Passport Center issues “approximately 2,000,000 passports each year.”

Mister Evans, the nominee for Undersecretary for Management, acknowledged those operational pressures and described the management portfolio he would oversee: the bureaus responsible for diplomatic security, overseas buildings operations and medical services. Evans said a priority would be to “ensure CA has the personnel and resources needed to effectively fulfill its missions.” On recent department reductions, Evans said they had “hit me personally as well” and acknowledged the need to “repair the damage that was done through the rifts last week.”

When asked about the Afghan SIV program, Evans said he had served in Afghanistan and was familiar with the SIV process but did not have the current processing status; he committed to “look into that and bring back some answers to the committee” if confirmed. Senator Shaheen specifically requested a briefing from Evans on SIV processing and said the committee has treated those visas as a bipartisan priority to protect Afghans who supported U.S. forces.

Several senators pressed Evans on civil service and foreign service evaluation reform. Evans said he favors a broader review process that goes “beyond whether or not someone can write a one‑page statement” and told senators he plans to “take a whole of candidate approach” when examining promotions and assignments.

On security posture, Evans reiterated that “there is no greater responsibility than safeguarding those who serve our nation abroad,” and said he would work to ensure the Department’s protective and medical services are resourced. The nominee declined to provide immediate operational metrics but agreed to follow up with the committee on the Afghan SIV status and other specifics.