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119th Congress Law

S. 1884: Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2025

Became LawPublic Law 119-82, signed Apr 13, 2026

  1. Introduced (completed)May 22, 2025
  2. Passed Senate (completed)Dec 10, 2025
  3. Passed House (completed)Mar 16, 2026
  4. To the President (completed)Apr 2, 2026
  5. Became law (completed)Apr 13, 2026

Summary

Public Law, Apr 13, 2026

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.

Read the full summary

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.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Roll calls

0 votes on this bill

No roll call votes have been held on this bill.

Amendments

0 offered

No amendments were offered to this bill.

Cosponsors

21

Bipartisan support.

Who scored on this bill

240 points earned
  1. 1John Cornyn R-TX SponsorDrew cross-party cosponsors, introduced, reported, passed Senate, passed House, became law6 events+156
  2. 2Marsha Blackburn R-TNCosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
  3. 2Richard Blumenthal D-CTCosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
  4. 2Cory Booker D-NJCosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
  5. 2Katie Britt R-ALCosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
See all scorers and every scoring event

Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.

Other bills by John Cornyn

History

  1. Apr 13, 2026Signed by the President. Became Public Law 119-82.
  2. Apr 2, 2026Presented to the President.
  3. Mar 16, 2026Passed the House by voice vote.
  4. Dec 10, 2025Passed the Senate by unanimous consent.
  5. May 22, 2025Introduced in the Senate by John Cornyn.
Show the full action history (19 actions)
  1. Apr 13, 2026Signed by President.
  2. Apr 13, 2026Became Public Law No: 119-82.
  3. Apr 2, 2026Presented to President.
  4. Mar 16, 2026Ms. Lee (FL) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
  5. Mar 16, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2497-2500)
  6. Mar 16, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1884.
  7. Mar 16, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2497)
  8. Mar 16, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2497)
  9. Mar 16, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  10. Dec 11, 2025Message on Senate action sent to the House.
  11. Dec 11, 2025Received in the House.
  12. Dec 11, 2025Held at the desk.
  13. Dec 10, 2025Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.
  14. Dec 10, 2025Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8628-8629; text: CR S8629)
  15. Nov 18, 2025Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with amendments. Without written report.
  16. Nov 18, 2025Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 271.
  17. Nov 6, 2025Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
  18. May 22, 2025Introduced in Senate
  19. May 22, 2025Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.