S. 1884 · 119th Congress · Public Law 119-82
Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2025
2 sections in the law, all of them in the bill as introduced.
Signed April 13, 2026 · Introduced May 22, 2025 in the Senate
Sponsor: Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) · 21 cosponsors (11 D, 10 R)
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Official title
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.
Official summary (Congressional Research Service) · as public law
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
These changes apply to pending and future civil claims or causes of action.
How it became law
- IntroducedMay 22
- CommitteeNov 6
- HouseMar 16
- SenateDec 10
- SignedApr 13
As introduced: 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.
Key steps, cosponsors and text changes (23)
Sponsor
SenateIntroduced in Senate
- Text: Introduced in Senate
2 sections
Cosponsor joined
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Cosponsors joined
Sen. Christopher Coons (D-DE), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL)
SenateCommittee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
- Text: Reported to Senate
2 sections: 1 reworded
Cosponsor joined
Cosponsors joined
SenatePassed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8628-8629; text: CR S8629)
- Text: Engrossed in Senate
2 sections, no changes
HouseOn motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2497)
HousePresented to President.
- Text: Enrolled Bill
2 sections, no changes
Became Public Law No: 119-82.
Signed by President.
Show every recorded step (30)
Sponsor
SenateRead twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
SenateIntroduced in Senate
- Text: Introduced in Senate
2 sections
Cosponsor joined
Cosponsor joined
Cosponsor joined
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Cosponsors joined
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Cosponsors joined
Sen. Christopher Coons (D-DE), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL)
SenateCommittee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
SenatePlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 271.
SenateCommittee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with amendments. Without written report.
- Text: Reported to Senate
2 sections: 1 reworded
Cosponsor joined
Cosponsors joined
SenatePassed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8628-8629; text: CR S8629)
- Text: Engrossed in Senate
2 sections, no changes
HouseReceived in the House.
HouseOn motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2497)
HouseDEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1884.
HouseConsidered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2497-2500)
HouseMs. Lee (FL) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
HousePresented to President.
- Text: Enrolled Bill
2 sections, no changes
Became Public Law No: 119-82.
Signed by President.
Source: GovInfo bill status and text versions. 21 cosponsors.
Every section
All 2 sections, in order
From the enrolled bill text on GovInfo. Read any section in full on Congress.gov.
- Sec. 1Short title
- Sec. 2Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2016 improvements
Sponsor and cosponsors
Show all 22 members, by last name
Sponsor: Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)
- Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
- Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
- Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ)
- Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL)
- Sen. Christopher Coons (D-DE)
- Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)
- Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL)
- Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA)
- Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
- Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
- Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
- Sen. David McCormick (R-PA)
- Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH)
- Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
- Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA)
- Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO)
- Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL)
- Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI)
- Sen. Thomas Tillis (R-NC)
- Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA)
- Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT)
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Sources: bill text and status, GovInfo (Enrolled Bill) · Official summary, Congressional Research Service · Congress.gov, as of November 1, 2026. US government works are in the public domain · This bill on Congress.gov (opens in new tab)