Rep. Black Co-Sponsors Bill to End Social Security Benefits for Nazis

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Diane Black (R-TN-06) joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers in introducing legislation to terminate Social Security benefits for Nazi persecutors who receive them because of a loophole in current law. 

“Congress must stop the flow of payments to these war criminals immediately,” said Congressman Black. “That is why I co-sponsored Congressman Sam Johnson’s No Social Security for Nazis Act. This legislation will cut off benefits to anyone stripped of U.S. citizenship—either voluntarily or by order of the federal government—related to their participation in Nazi crimes. The legislation further ensures that, if the offenders are married, they are denied spousal benefits under Social Security as well. These human rights violators don’t deserve one more dime from you and me.”

The legislation is a result of bipartisan work following news reports that some Nazi persecutors, who participated in the systematic murder of millions of innocents, are currently receiving Social Security benefits due to a loophole in the law.  By leaving the U.S. voluntarily, instead of being deported, some Nazi war criminals and collaborators were able to keep their Social Security benefits.  The House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Finance Committee have jurisdiction over Social Security. 

Text of the legislation and bill summary information is available here.

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Congressman Diane Black represents Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District. She has been a registered nurse for more than 40 years and serves on the House Ways and Means and Budget Committees.