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Politics

Marco Rubio, Tammy Baldwin Want Poland to Do More for Holocaust Survivors

March 27, 2018 - 6:15pm
Marco Rubio and Tammy Baldwin
Marco Rubio and Tammy Baldwin

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., paired up with U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc., to round up more than half of their Senate colleagues to urge Poland to do more to help Holocaust victims. 

Almost 60 senators signed Rubio’s and Baldwin’s letter to Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki calling on him to back legislation allowing Holocaust victims to secure compensation and the return of property seized by the Nazis which was then nationalized by the Communist regime. 

“The United States and Poland have a long and deep relationship stemming from the American Revolutionary War and continuing through our NATO partnership today. It is in this spirit—coupled with the recognition of the tremendous contributions made by Polish-Americans—that we are writing to express concern about legislation regarding Holocaust Era property restitution that has been proposed by the Polish Ministry of Justice,”the senators wrote. “The draft legislation, published on October 20, would eliminate the possibility of the return of actual property, provide only limited compensation, prevent compensation for ownership of companies that were destroyed, and bar claims by foreign citizens who did not benefit from eligible postwar treaties, including the one between Poland and the United States.

“We are deeply concerned that the bill, in its current form, would discriminate against virtually all American survivors and heirs on the basis that they are not currently citizens of Poland and that they were not residents of Poland when their property was nationalized. The current draft law also would exclude individuals who are not 'first-line heirs’ of Nazi victims or survivors. This provision would disproportionately impact Jewish victims and their families,” the senators added. 

“As strong supporters of the critical and mutually beneficial U.S.-Polish relationship, we believe our alliance is rooted in our shared democratic ideals, including a respect for the rule of law and its ability to ensure justice for victims,” the senators continued. “We urge you to work with the Polish Parliament to pass fair and just restitution legislation that would both fully realize the goals of the Terezin Declaration and further strengthen the bond between our countries.” 

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., signed the letter. So did a host of other senators including Republicans U.S. Sens. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Ted Cruz of Texas, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and John McCain of Arizona and Democrats U.S. Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey, Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer of New York and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. 

Last year, Rubio teamed up with Baldwin in the Senate and U.S. Reps. Chris Smith, R-NJ,  and U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley, D-NY, to bring back the “Justice for Uncompensated Survivors Today (JUST) Act” back in February. The sponsors, who originally introduced the legislation back in June 2016, insist the bill  “will improve efforts to assist Holocaust survivors and the families of Holocaust victims by requiring the State Department to report on the progress of certain European countries on the return of (or restitution for), wrongfully confiscated or transferred Holocaust-era assets.” 

The legislation would continue efforts from the Terezin Declaration on Holocaust Era Assets and Related Issues of 2009 which “affirms that the protection of property rights is an essential component of a democratic society based on the rule of law and recognizes the importance of restituting or compensating Holocaust-related confiscations made during the Holocaust-era between 1933-45.” The bill would have the State Department report on how Central and Eastern European counties are complying with those efforts. Rubio and Baldwin have steered the bill through the Senate though the U.S. House has not yet passed it. 


READ MORE FROM SUNSHINE STATE NEWS

Marco Rubio's, Tammy Baldwin's Bill to Help Holocaust Survivors Gaining Traction in the Senate

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Continues Efforts to Help Holocaust Survivors

Comments

Any report pursuant to S447 or HR 1226 would substantially duplicate the ESLI’s Study Report., which the US already signed in 2009. The cost of a US Secretary of State report is estimated by the Congressional Budget Office to be less than $500,000. That money would be wasted because most of the work has already been done. Therefore, the Bills’ duplicative objectives represent waste of government money.

Stay out of other country's business. Focus internally!

The problem is determining who will pay for all of this. The time for action would have been when this was nationalized 75 years ago! If there is compensations to be made, who is going to pay? It probably should be Germany, not Poland... Jewish vote grab...

"Holocaust Survivors" are as hard to find nowadays as WWII Veterans. But "Marco & Tammy" will go as far as Poland to "corral some"... (For $19 a month, you too can save a "Polish Holocaust survivor"...) MARCO,..What have you done for US, right here in Florida lately?!?... other than FILL our daily NEWS with your annoying name...

Why are these two sticking their noses in other countries? Keep your eye on America.

Do more for our country and stop being a compassionate BULLY to others!

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