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Law and JusticeS. 1884Comments

Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2025

Official title: A bill to clarify the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2016, to appropriately limit the application of defenses based on the passage of time and other non-merits defenses to claims under that Act.

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Where the Bill Stands

  1. Introduced, done
  2. Committee, done
  3. Floor Vote, done
  4. Outcome, shown after you vote

What This Bill Does

This act permanently extends and expands judicial authority under the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2016. The law allows and establishes procedures for civil claims and causes of action to recover artwork and other property lost between 1933 and 1945 because of Nazi persecution.

Among the changes, the act removes the deadline for filing civil claims or causes of action. Currently, the filing deadline is December 31, 2026. (Claims must still be filed within six years of the claimant's discovery of the property in question.)

The act permits courts to exercise jurisdiction over civil claims or causes of action against a foreign state without regard to the nationality or citizenship of the alleged victim. The art or property at issue must still have a connection to the foreign state's commercial activities in the United States.

Additionally, the act authorizes nationwide service of process, which allows courts to exercise personal jurisdiction over defendants in any judicial district where they may be found, reside, have an agent, or transact business.

Finally, the act limits the defenses that may be asserted against civil claims or causes of action, including by prohibiting

  • defenses based on the passage of time, including equitable defenses such as laches (i.e., unreasonable delays); and
  • discretionary bases for dismissal that are unrelated to the merits of the claim, including international comity (i.e., deference to the laws of other countries).

These changes apply to pending and future civil claims or causes of action.

Sponsors

Related Documents

Bill on Congress.govWeb Page ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Timeline

  1. Library of CongressSigned by President.
  2. Became Law
  3. House floor actionsPresented to President.
  4. House floor actionsMs. Lee (FL) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
  5. SenateMessage on Senate action sent to the House.
  6. House floor actionsReceived in the House.
  7. Library of CongressPassed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.
  8. SenatePassed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8628-8629; text: CR S8629)
  9. Floor Vote
  10. SenateCommittee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with amendments. Without written report.
  11. SenateCommittee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
  12. Library of CongressIntroduced in Senate
  13. SenateRead twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  14. Introduced
  15. Committee

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