Lawmakers seek to end benefits to former Nazis

WASHINGTON – Legislation to stop suspected Nazi war criminals from receiving U.S. Social Security benefits will be introduced soon, the latest response to an Associated Press investigation that revealed millions of dollars have been paid to former Nazis who were forced out of the United States.

Reps. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., and Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, will release details of the bill today. The legislation will be offered in mid-November, when Congress returns to session following the midterm elections.

Sens. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Bob Casey, D-Pa., said they will propose a similar bill in the Senate.

The Social Security Administration on Thursday issued its most emphatic statement on the subject, declaring “We don’t believe these individuals should be getting these benefits.” The agency, the statement added, is “available and ready to provide technical assistance to proposals” to end the payments.

The AP’s investigation, published Sunday, has triggered outrage on Capitol Hill, in the editorial pages of newspapers across the country, and from the White House.

Maloney said her congressional office has received dozens of calls in the last few days. “People are approaching me at events and indicating that they want to see the bill passed – and quickly,” Maloney said. She has also demanded that the inspectors general at the Justice Department and Social Security Administration conduct an “immediate investigation” into the benefits payments.

“It is simply perverse that these criminals have been able to live comfortably abroad thanks to the American taxpayer,” Schumer said.

Casey credited the AP with revealing “a gross injustice” and said he’s hopeful that “Democrats and Republicans will come together to fix this problem in the very near future.”