Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Became Law
Summary
Easier recovery of Nazi‑looted art by blocking time‑based and other discretionary defenses and widening who and what can be sued. It expands cross‑border reach and confirms nationwide service so cases are decided on the merits.
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- Families and heirs: People who lost property during Nazi persecution can bring claims regardless of nationality. Courts cannot dismiss timely claims using time‑based defenses like laches or adverse possession or discretionary doctrines such as the act of state or forum non conveniens.
- Museums, collectors, and foreign governments: Claims may proceed even when a covered foreign government or its agents are involved, and the law clarifies how foreign‑state immunity rules apply for these cases.
- Courts and procedure: The law authorizes nationwide service of process so defendants can be served across districts and requires merits‑based adjudication. It also includes a severability rule so other provisions remain if one part is struck down.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Courts decide Nazi-looted art on merits
If your claim is timely under this law, courts cannot use laches, adverse possession, acquisitive prescription, or usucapion. Courts also cannot dismiss for non-merits reasons like forum non conveniens, act of state, international comity, or prudential exhaustion. The case is heard and decided on the actual ownership facts and law.
More looted art claims can proceed
This law applies to cases that were pending on the date of enactment, including appeals, and to new cases filed after that date. It updates timing rules so those cases can move ahead. You can serve defendants nationwide, in the court’s district or any district where they are found, live, have an agent, or do business.
Easier to sue foreign states for looted art
Covered claims are treated as raising rights in violation of international law under foreign sovereign immunity rules. This makes it easier to sue foreign states or their agents in U.S. courts, even if the victim was not a U.S. citizen. If any part of this law is struck down, the rest still applies.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Cornyn, John [R-TX]
TX • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
CT • D
Sponsored 5/22/2025
Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
NC • R
Sponsored 5/22/2025
Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Sponsored 5/22/2025
Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]
TN • R
Sponsored 5/22/2025
Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA]
PA • D
Sponsored 5/22/2025
Sen. Schmitt, Eric [R-MO]
MO • R
Sponsored 5/22/2025
Katie Britt
AL • R
Sponsored 5/22/2025
Peter Welch
VT • D
Sponsored 6/3/2025
Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/4/2025
Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA]
PA • R
Sponsored 9/19/2025
Elissa Slotkin
MI • D
Sponsored 10/8/2025
Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
NY • D
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Sen. Moreno, Bernie [R-OH]
OH • R
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
IA • R
Sponsored 10/20/2025
Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
TX • R
Sponsored 10/28/2025
Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
DE • D
Sponsored 11/6/2025
Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
IL • D
Sponsored 11/6/2025
Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]
SC • R
Sponsored 11/6/2025
Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
FL • R
Sponsored 12/8/2025
Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]
NV • D
Sponsored 12/9/2025
Raphael Warnock
GA • D
Sponsored 12/9/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov