House passes bill to help Holocaust survivors

WASHINGTON (JTA)—The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill to help Holocaust survivors and the families of victims obtain restitution or the return of Holocaust-era assets.

The measure approved Tuesday requires the State Department to report on the progress of certain European countries toward the return of or restitution for wrongfully confiscated or transferred Holocaust-era assets, including property, art and other movable property. It also requires a report specifically on progress on the resolution of claims for U.S. citizen Holocaust survivors and family members.

The Senate unanimously approved its version of the bill in December. Sens. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc., and Marco Rubio, R-Fla., are its lead sponsors.

The World Jewish Restitution Organization praised the bill’s passage.

“This is a powerful statement of America’s unwavering commitment to supporting Holocaust survivors in their quest for justice,” Gideon Taylor, the WJRO chairman of operations, said in a statement.

The bill now goes to President Donald Trump for his signature.