Museums Lobby Against Strengthening a Holocaust Art Recovery Law

The article discusses the ongoing debate between museums and lawmakers regarding the renewal of a law aimed at helping Holocaust victims and their heirs retrieve art stolen by the Nazis. Museums are lobbying for a simple renewal of the law, while a bipartisan group of lawmakers wants to strengthen it. The current law, known as the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery (HEAR) Act, is set to expire in 2026. Museums argue that a simple renewal would provide stability and predictability for the art market. However, the lawmakers believe the law should be strengthened to make it easier for victims and their heirs to reclaim stolen art. The proposed changes include extending the statute of limitations, shifting the burden of proof to museums, and requiring them to disclose information about potentially looted art in their collections. The debate highlights the ongoing tensions between the interests of museums and the efforts to provide justice for those affected by the Nazi's art theft during the Holocaust.