Passports are the buzz of the travel industry right now because the new goverment regulations have complicated travel. There is a big delay in getting passports because applications are up 40% over last year. And there are fewer people to do the processing. It just makes sense that it would talk longer. Going forward, the government is looking at ways to improve the process. One of the suggestions is to create a driver's license type identification document that would take their place. Here is an article about the debate:

http://www.travelweekly.com/articles.aspx?articleid=56615