Rep. Black Speaks in Support of Bill to End Social Security Benefits for Nazis

Click the image for video of her remarks

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Diane Black (R-TN-06) spoke on the House floor in support of bipartisan legislation she cosponsored to terminate Social Security benefits for Nazi persecutors who receive them because of a loophole in current law.  The No Social Security for Nazis Act passed out of the House of Representatives today. Below is a transcript of Congressman Black’s remarks, or to watch the video, click here.

Mr. Speaker, for many today the heinous acts of the Nazi party in the World War II era are a story relegated to history books and museums.

But the fact is, some of these war criminals are still alive—and they are even getting a monthly check from Uncle Sam.

An Associated Press investigation found that dozens of Nazi suspects have collected Social Security benefits due to a loophole in our laws. And the cost to taxpayers has reportedly reached “into the millions.”

Seniors in my district already have concerns about the future of Social Security – the last thing they want to see is their government using scarce taxpayer dollars for this purpose.

That is why I was proud to cosponsor Congressman Sam Johnson’s No Social Security for Nazis Act—legislation to cut off benefits to anyone stripped of U.S. citizenship related to their participation in Nazi crimes.

No act of Congress could ever make right the atrocities of the Holocaust, or bring justice to its six million victims. But ending the flow of payments to these human rights violators would sure be a step in the right direction.

I thank the gentleman from Texas for his work on this critical, bipartisan measure and look forward to voting in support.

Thank you, and I yield back my time.

Additional Information:

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.