Maloney backed-bill to terminate Social Security benefits for Nazis heads to President’s Desk

Dec 5, 2014
Press Release

WASHINGTON – Legislation to terminate Social Security benefits for individuals involved in the Nazi persecutions is heading to the President’s desk after the Senate passed the bill by unanimous consent late last night. Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), who led the fight to pass the legislation in the House of Representatives, released the following statement:

“For far too long individuals involved in the Nazi Holocaust who entered the United States under false pretenses were allowed to collect Social Security benefits. Taxpayers spent millions of dollars subsidizing the retirements of those guilty of the worst atrocities in modern history.

“I introduced legislation to solve this problem just two short weeks ago. The Ways and Means committee introduced similar legislation that I was happy to support. After clearing both the House and Senate unanimously it will soon move to the President’s desk. This is great news and it reaffirms America’s commitment to holding those involved in the Holocaust accountable regardless of how long it takes.”

Background:

Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) and Leonard Lance (R-NJ) authored and introduced the Nazi Social Security Benefits Termination Act of 2014 (H.R. 5706, introduced 11/13/2014). They later offered their supported the No Social Security for Nazis Act (H.R. 7539, introduced 11/19/2014), which passed the House and Senate earlier this week.

In September, Maloney sent a letter to the Social Security Administration seeking details on payments made to Nazi war criminals. Following the publication of the Associated Press report, Maloney sent letters to the Inspectors General of the Social Security Administration and Department of Justice seeking an investigation into the matter. A PDF of the letter to the Department of Justice Inspector General is linked hereA PDF of the letter to the Social Security Administration Inspector General is here.

Maloney is a co-author of the Nazi War Crimes Disclosure Act which created the Nazi War Crimes and Japanese Imperial Government Records Interagency Working Group (IWG).