Justice & Dignity for Survivors
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H.R. 1746 - "Holocaust Insurance Accountability Act"
ISSUE UPDATE
Vast Sums Devoted to Defeat H.R. 1746 Several Jewish Organizations, German Embassy join effort
Through September 30, 2008, the insurance industry -- led by Italian insurer Generali, Swiss Reinsurance, and the Association of Dutch Insurers -- spent over ONE MILLION DOLLARS on lobbyists opposing H.R. 1746. See the detailed and up-to-date breakdown here. This figure does not include the unidentified portion of time and resources expended by European-based insurance giants Allianz, Zurich, AEGON and ING, along with two leading U.S. insurance trade associations in opposition to H.R. 1746 as part of their ongoing multi-million dollar lobbying programs.
The industry trade group, the American Insurance Association, hired Mara Rudman, the former Chief Operating Officer of the International Commission on Holocaust-Era Insurance Claims (ICHEIC), to represent their interests on the matter in Congress. See filing for 1st Quarter 2008 and 2nd Quarter 2008.
Three Jewish organizations also spent lobbying resources to oppose the bill: American Jewish Committee, World Jewish Congress, and the Anti-Defamation League.
Unreported lobbying expenses were also incurred by German Embassy officials, and officers and employees of the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, opposing the legislation.
NEWS UPDATE
110th Congress Winds Down with Action on H.R. 1746 Unlikely
September 22, 2008 -- Latest news coverage in Roll Call.
ISSUE UPDATE
Opponents of H.R. 1746 Using Scare Tactics The Claims Conference and its establishment allies have embraced misrepresentation & scare tactics in their effort to defeat Holocaust insurance legislation.
In public statements, and in private lobbying sessions with Congressional staff, representatives of the Claims Conference have warned that passage of the Holocaust Insurance Accountability Act will "hamper" future restitution efforts benefiting survivors. Claims Conference Treasurer Roman Kent recently wrote that the legislation "will damage ongoing and future negotiations that have tens of millions of dollars at stake for the benefit of survivors worldwide," implying that Germany will reduce or even end its funding for programs benefiting needy survivors if the law is enacted.
However, when Congressional staffers recently put the question directly to German embassy officials, the Germans admitted no such intention and that public funds benefiting survivors are not in jeopardy.
HSF has rejected such groundless allegations and pointed out that neither the German Ambassador, the U.S. State Department, Roman Kent nor any other critic has identified any specific negotiations or existing programs that might be impeded if H.R. 1746 became law.
HSF Executive Board member Nesse Godin and Esther Finder, President of the Washington DC group "Generation After," recently responded to misrepresentation by opponents of the bill, noting that no survivor organization has opposed H.R. 1746.
ISSUE UPDATE Congressional Committee Votes to Strip Holocaust Insurance Bill of Main Provisions Late Lobbying Push by German Ambassador Pays Off for Opponents of Holocaust Justice
The House Financial Services Committee held a markup hearing on June 25, 2008 to consider H.R. 1746, the Holocaust Insurance Accountability Act. A substitute version of the legislation was proposed by committee Chairman Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), and passed by voice vote. This version now conflicts with that previously passed by the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
In rejecting requirements for the publication of policyholder names and other key provisions enabling survivors and heirs to pursue justice in American courts, Chairman Frank deferred to concerns expressed by the powerful insurance industry, the German government and non-survivor Jewish organizations.
The aggressive lobbying push by opponents of H.R. 1746 included a letter from the German Ambassador, Klaus Scharioth, which resulted in last-minute weakening of the bill's provisions. See the letter here.
HSF sent Chairman Frank a letter expressing its disappointment in his betrayal of the interests of survivors.
At the June 25th hearing, Rep. Ron Klein (D-FL) and Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) spoke against the Chairman's approach. Rep. Sherman attempted unsuccessfully to offer amendments that would strengthen the rights of survivors.
Archived webcast of the hearing is available here. Chairman Frank's opening statement on H.R. 1746 begins at 3:14:00. Rep. Klein's comments come at 3:28:00. Rep. Sherman presents amendments beginning at 3:31:00.
ISSUE UPDATE
Rep. John Conyers (D-Michigan), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, has signed on as co-sponsor of H.R. 1746 - the Holocaust Insurance Accountability Act. | Full list of co-sponsors
ISSUE UPDATE
HSF Leader Jack Rubin Testifies at U.S. Senate Hearing
A hearing in the United States Senate on the Holocaust insurance claims issue was held on May 6th, 2008. HSF Executive Board member Jack Rubin was among the invited witnesses. Click here for more information and links to written testimony. Streaming video is available at this link. HSF submitted a letter for the public record.
ISSUE UPDATE
"Balance Still Due on Holocaust"
Author and law professor Thane Rosenbaum has published an op-ed in the New York Sun in advance of his testimony at the May 6th Senate subcommittee hearing on unpaid Holocaust insurance claims.
ISSUE UPDATE
"Congress Should Pass HR 1746 & Reject Shocking Interference by Jewish Organizations"
March 12, 2008 - HSF Board member Izzy Arbeiter's new op-ed has been published by the online news site Cutting Edge.
ISSUE UPDATE
Congressional Hearing Held Feb. 7th, 2008 on H.R. 1746
The Committee on Financial Services of the U.S. House of Representatives conducted a hearing on The Holocaust Insurance Accountability Act of 2007 (H.R. 1746) on February 7, 2008.
H.R. 1746 would require disclosure of Holocaust-era insurance policies by insurers and establish a federal cause of action -- the individual right to file suit -- for claims related to an unpaid or Nazi-looted policy.
Holocaust survivor and HSF Board member Israel Arbeiter appeared as a witness. Archived webcast of the hearing is available for viewing. The published transcript includes written testimony and other material submitted for the record.
A 5-minute clip of the opening statement by the bill's chief co-sponsor, Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL) is available on YouTube.
The Miami Herald, Cox News Service and Jewish Telegraphic Agency covered the Feb. 7th congressional hearing. Additional coverage in the Chicago Tribune.
"Establishment" organizations have staked out positions opposing H.R. 1746. Read what the American Jewish Committee, B'nai B'rith International, World Jewish Congress, and the Anti-Defamation League have to say about the overriding importance of relations with the German government compared to justice for survivors.
Information on Legislation
Support & Responses to Opposition
Recent Media Coverage and Other Resources
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Rep.
John Conyers Joins in Support of H.R. 1746
© 2007-2008. Holocaust Survivors' Foundation-USA, Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Email: contact@hsf-usa.org