House lawmakers voted Tuesday to block federal benefits for people suspected of participating in Nazi-era war crimes.
The unusual bill was brought quickly to the House floor after the Associated Press reported in October that expelled suspected Nazi war criminals had collected millions of dollars in Social Security payments.
“To think Nazis are receiving Social Security benefits derived from tax receipts of the American people is sickening and morally wrong,” Rep. Leonard Lance, R-N.J., said on the House floor. “And today, Congress will move to put an end to it.”
The bill passed unanimously.
According to the AP, the suspected war criminals were able to exploit a loophole to receive the benefits. The Justice Department had been using the money as a way to persuade them to leave the United States.
“If they agreed to go, or simply fled before deportation, they could keep their Social Security, according to interviews and internal government records.” the AP reported.
Among those who received benefits were former SS troops who guarded the camps where millions of Jews died.
