Capitol Hill lawmakers are working on legislation to close a legal loophole that has allowed Nazis expelled from the United States to collect Social Security benefits.
Pending companion bills in the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security would deny federal public benefits to individuals if it’s been determined they actively assisted in Nazi war crimes.
“Like all Americans, I was stunned to learn that those responsible for the deaths of millions of innocents have received millions in Social Security benefits due to a loophole in the law,” said Rep. Sam Johnson, R-Texas, chairman of the House panel. “Congress must stop these benefit payments now.”
Dozens of Nazi war criminals have received Social Security benefits years after being forced to leave the U.S., the Associated Press reported this month.
The payments, underwritten by American taxpayers, flowed through a legal loophole that gave the U.S. Justice Department leverage to persuade Nazi suspects to leave the U.S. If they agreed to go, or simply fled before deportation, they could keep their Social Security, the AP report said.
Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., a member of the Senate committee, called the loophole “perverse.”
“I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will work hard to right this wrong once and for all,” said Schumer, who is coauthoring his chamber’s version of the measure with Sen. Bob Casey, D-Penn.
The senators said they will formally introduce their bill — which the World Jewish Congress has endorsed — in the coming weeks and will push for speedy consideration.
