The Expanding Access to School Meals Act of 2025 would allow beneficiaries or heirs of certain Holocaust-era insurance policies to sue in U.S. courts to enforce their rights under those policies. The bill covers policies that were in effect between 1933 and 1945 and were issued to policyholders in Nazi-controlled territories or Switzerland.
Latest Action
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
The Expanding Access to School Meals Act of 2025 would allow beneficiaries or heirs of certain Holocaust-era insurance policies to sue in U.S. courts to enforce their rights under those policies. The bill covers policies that were in effect between 1933 and 1945 and were issued to policyholders in Nazi-controlled territories or Switzerland.
Last updated: 12/29/2025
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Holocaust Insurance Accountability Act of 2023</strong></p> <p>This bill allows a beneficiary (or an heir of a beneficiary) of certain insurance policies in effect during the Holocaust to sue in U.S. district court to enforce rights under such policies. </p> <p>An insurance policy covered under this bill must have been (1) in effect at any time between January 31, 1933, and December 31, 1945, and (2) issued to a policyholder domiciled in Nazi-controlled territory or Switzerland. </p> <p>A court shall award to a prevailing beneficiary (1) the amount due under a policy, (2) prejudgment interest of 6% a year, (3) attorney's fees and costs, and (4) treble damages if the insurer acted in bad faith. </p> <p>An action under this bill or state law related to a covered insurance policy shall be considered timely if filed within 10 years of this bill's enactment.</p> <p>Judgments and agreements entered before this bill's enactment shall not preclude a claim brought under the bill, with certain exceptions. Neither executive agreements between the United States and a foreign government nor U.S. executive foreign policies shall (1) affect or preclude claims brought under this bill, or (2) supersede or preempt any state laws relating to insurance policies covered by this bill. </p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p><strong></strong></p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Allows beneficiaries or heirs to sue in U.S. courts to enforce rights under certain Holocaust-era insurance policies
Covers policies in effect between 1933-1945 that were issued to policyholders in Nazi-controlled territories or Switzerland
Awards prevailing beneficiaries the policy amount, 6% prejudgment interest, attorney's fees, and possible treble damages for bad faith
Considers claims timely if filed within 10 years of the bill's enactment
Executive agreements or U.S. foreign policies cannot affect or preempt claims brought under this bill
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
This bill would primarily impact Holocaust survivors and their descendants who were denied payments from insurance policies during the Nazi era. It could provide some financial relief and accountability for these families who were previously unable to enforce their rights. The bill could also affect insurance companies that issued policies in Nazi-occupied territories and may now be required to pay out on long-standing claims.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
International Affairs
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
2680, 119th Congress (2025). "Expanding Access to School Meals Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-2680
