Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have brought forth legislation that would ban suspected Nazi war criminals from receiving Social Security benefits.
“Our bill will eliminate the loophole that has allowed Nazi war criminals to collect Social Security benefits,” said Rep. Carolyn Maloney, The Hill reported. “I am hopeful that the House will take this bill up in the lame-duck session this November.”
The New York Democrat, one of three lawmakers introducing the bill, also said the measure would help out taxpayers, Rep. Jason Chaffetz, Utah Republican, and Rep. Leonard Lance, New Jersey Republican, are the other two.
“The American taxpayer should not be subsidizing the retirements of those guilty of the worst atrocities in human history,” Ms. Maloney said, The Hill reported.
The bill would require the attorney general and the Social Security commissioner to submit a report to Congress to tell just how many Nazi war criminals were booted from the benefit program. The bill comes on the heels of an Associated Press report that found millions of dollars in Social Security benefits have been paid to suspected Nazi war criminals who left the United States.
Sens. Bob Casey and Charles Schumer are due to introduce a companion measure in the Senate, The Hill reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.