Booker Statement on Signing of Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery (HEAR) Act

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Cory Booker released the following statement after the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery (HEAR) Act-legislation designed to support the recovery of art stolen by the Nazi regime and to strengthen avenues for justice for Holocaust survivors and their families-was signed into law.

"Despite decades- long efforts by the United States and allies to return Nazi-looted art to Holocaust victims and their heirs, over 100,000 works of art have yet to be recovered and returned to their rightful owners," said Senator Booker. "I'm pleased to see this bill signed into law so that survivors and their heirs will finally regain possession of their stolen art."

The legislation, which passed the Senate unanimously in December 2025 and the House unanimously in March 2026, was led by Senator John Cornyn and cosponsored by Senators Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Peter Welch (D-VT), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Chris Coons (D-DE), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Rick Scott (R-FL), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Raphael Warnock (D-GA).

Nazi Germany's systematic theft of Jewish-owned property-including vast quantities of art-remains one of the largest unresolved cultural crimes of the 20th century. Despite post-war recovery efforts and renewed initiatives since the late 1990s, more than 100,000 stolen works have still not been returned.

Congress first passed the HEAR Act in 2016 to ensure survivors and heirs could pursue claims in U.S. courts based on the merits of their cases, rather than being blocked by procedural time limits. The law established a national six-year statute of limitations beginning only when the rightful owner discovers the location of the artwork.

In the years since, some institutions have resisted restitution efforts by withholding provenance information or relying on procedural defenses. Certain court interpretations have also narrowed the law's intended protections. With the original statute set to expire on December 31, 2026, Congress acted to ensure that survivors and their families are not denied access to justice.

What the updated HEAR Act does:

• Removes the sunset date to ensure continued access to the courts

• Strengthens procedural protections so claims are evaluated on their merits

• Reinforces remedies available to victims and their families

The legislation is supported by a broad coalition of organizations, including Art Ashes, Agudath Israel of America, American Jewish Committee, Anti-Defamation League, Bet Tzedek, Holocaust Survivors Foundation USA, Jewish Federations of North America, Simon Wiesenthal Center, StandWithUs, The 1939 Society, Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, and World Jewish Congress.