WASHINGTON (JTA) — The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously approved a resolution urging care for elderly Holocaust survivors.
The nonbinding resolution passed 407-0 on Wednesday "urges the Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services, in conjunction with the Administration on Aging (AoA), to provide Holocaust survivors with needed social services through existing programs; and encourages the Administration on Aging to expeditiously develop and implement programs that ensure Holocaust survivors are able to age in place in their communities and avoid institutionalization during their remaining years."
The resolution, sponsored by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), comes as Jewish groups fear that funding cuts planned for the new Congress in the wake of Republicans winning the House will affect programs for the elderly. It also "applauds the nonprofit organizations and agencies that work tirelessly to honor and assist Holocaust survivors in their communities."
The Jewish Federations of North America strongly backed the resolution.
