S. 1884

119th Congress

Enacted

Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2025

Sponsored byRepublican:Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]TX· Introduced 22 May 2025
Open on Congress.gov

21

Cosponsors

23

Actions

0

Amendments

1

Committees

—

Since introduced

Introduced
Committee
Passed Chamber
Passed Both
Enacted
Step 4 of 0
Latest action

Became Public Law No: 119-82.

13 April 2026·3 months ago

Summary

Public Law · Updated 27 May 2026

Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2025

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.

Timeline

23 actions

  1. Became Public Law No: 119-82.

    13 April 2026 · President

  2. Signed by President.

    13 April 2026 · President

  3. Signed by President.

    13 April 2026 · BecameLaw

  4. Became Public Law No: 119-82.

    13 April 2026 · BecameLaw

  5. Presented to President.

    2 April 2026 · Floor

  6. Presented to President.

    2 April 2026 · President

  7. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2497-2500)

    16 March 2026 · Floor

  8. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1884.

    16 March 2026 · Floor

  9. Ms. Lee (FL) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

    16 March 2026 · Floor

  10. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2497)

    16 March 2026 · Floor

  11. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    16 March 2026 · Floor

  12. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2497)

    16 March 2026 · Floor

  13. Held at the desk.

    11 December 2025 · Floor

  14. Received in the House.

    11 December 2025 · Floor

  15. Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    11 December 2025 · Floor

  16. Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8628-8629; text: CR S8629)

    10 December 2025 · Floor

  17. Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.

    10 December 2025 · Floor

  18. Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with amendments. Without written report.

    18 November 2025 · Committee

  19. Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with amendments. Without written report.

    18 November 2025 · Committee

  20. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 271.

    18 November 2025 · Calendars

3 earlier actionsView all on Congress.gov

Sponsorship

21 cosponsors

Sponsor

Republican:Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]TX

Cosponsors

  • Democrat1152%
  • Republican1048%

Classification

Policy area

Law

Legislative subjects

Art, artists, authorshipCivil actions and liabilityConflicts and warsCrime victimsHistorical and cultural resourcesMuseums, exhibitions, cultural centersWar crimes, genocide, crimes against humanityWorld history

Committees

1

  • Judiciary Committee

    Senate · Standing

    • Referred To22 May 2025
    • Markup By6 Nov 2025
    • Reported By18 Nov 2025

Cosponsor momentum

Cumulative over time

Cosponsors grew from 7 on 22 May 2025 to 21 on 9 December 2025.

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