Lance: Bill To End Benefits for Nazis Passes House
WASHINGTON, D.C. --- Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07) today hailed passage of H.R. 5739, the ‘No Social Security for Nazis Act,’ which will terminate Social Security benefits for those associated with the Nazi atrocities. House passage comes 15 years after the effort was originally championed by the late Congressman Bob Franks (NJ-07). Lance continued to push the effort with nearly identical legislation, the ‘Nazi Social Security Benefits Termination Act’ with Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney of New York City, and the duo worked to see H.R. 5739 pass the House today on a unanimous vote.
“Today the House acted to correct an injustice of two generations and right a terrible wrong in the name of the lives that were lost as a result of the Holocaust. This action is yet another step in demonstrating that our resolve for justice is unyielding and our commitment to pursue what is right continues even 70 years after World War II,” said Lance, an original cosponsor of the legislation and co-chair of the Republican Israel Caucus.
Lance had urged his colleagues to send the measure to the United States Senate before the session ends later this month, and in remarks before passage in the House he noted that “Nazis receiving Social Security benefits derived from tax receipts of the American people is sickening and morally wrong.” The overwhelming support suggests consideration in the Senate could be swift which would send the legislation to the President’s desk.
Full text of Lance remarks:
Mr. Speaker:
I rise today to urge passage of H.R. 5739, the No Social Security for Nazis Act, which will correct an injustice of two generations and right a terrible wrong in the name of the lives that were lost as a result of the Holocaust. To think Nazis are receiving Social Security benefits derived from tax receipts of the American people is sickening and morally wrong. And today Congress will move to put an end to it.
This effort was originally championed in the 1990s by my predecessor, the late Congressman Bob Franks, and I am proud to continue his effort and see this legislation pass on the Floor of the House today. The United States, including my home state of New Jersey, stands in solidarity with the Jewish people, the State of Israel and the decades long struggle for peace in the world following the Nazi atrocities. This action is yet another step in demonstrating that our resolve for justice is unyielding and our commitment to pursue what is right continues even 70 years after World War II.
I thank my colleague, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney of New York City, for her leadership on this issue and for asking me to cosponsor the bill she initiated. I also thank Congressman Sam Johnson and the Ways and Means Committee for joining us in this effort.
The world can never forget the hate and intolerance of the 1930s and 1940s that claimed the lives of millions of people of the Jewish faith and forever scarred the face of mankind. Let this effort be another chapter in the healing that has brought vigor to the pursuit of justice, attention and care to all human suffering and the work toward a world of greater understanding and peace.
When given the chance to put an end to an egregious practice we must act. I urge passage today of this important piece of legislation.