Rep. Leonard Lance (R-N.J.) praised the U.S. House of Representatives for unanimously passing the No Social Security for Nazis Act on Tuesday, which would cut off benefits to Nazis who were deported from the United States.
A companion bill is awaiting approval in the Senate.
Lance, a co-sponsor of the legislation and the co-chair of the Republican Israel Caucus, said Nazis receiving Social Security benefits is “sickening and morally wrong.”
“The House acted to correct an injustice of two generations and right a terrible wrong in the name of the lives that were lost as a result of the Holocaust,” Lance said. “This action is yet another step in demonstrating that our resolve for justice is unyielding and our commitment to pursue what is right continues even 70 years after World War II.”
Late Rep. Bob Franks (R-N.J.) first brought the issue to light 15 years ago. The bill that passed was introduced in November after an Associated Press report revealed former Nazis previously stripped of U.S. citizenship were still receiving Social Security benefits.
Dozens of former Nazi war criminals and guards collected millions of dollars, AP reported. Only four remain living, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) recently said in a statement.
Lance and Maloney co-sponsored nearly identical bipartisan legislation, the Nazi Social Security Benefits Termination Act.