Cohen Chairs Hearing on the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN-9), Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law (CAL), today held a hearing on the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. At the hearing, the Congressman asked what officials at the Division thought about BP being placed into receivership to ensure the oil company will have enough assets to cover the cost of damages to the Gulf Coast and the thousands of families affected by this disaster.

“The Civil Division performs many valuable services for the federal government,” said Congressman Cohen. “This branch of government enforces consumer protection laws, recovers money lost through fraud, and handles bankruptcy litigation. Today’s hearing provided us with a good snapshot of the work the division does and how it strives to improve the quality of life for all Americans.”

Today’s hearing provided CAL members with an opportunity to examine recent activities within the Civil Division and was the first oversight hearing on the Division since the Obama Administration took office.

The Civil Division is responsible for a broad range of litigation activity that includes defending the constitutionality of federal legislation, recovering money for the United States that was lost through fraud, enforcing federal consumer protection laws, defending immigration enforcement actions, and representing the United States in habeas cases. The vast majority of the Civil Division’s work is defensive in nature.

The Civil Division is led by an Assistant Attorney General who reports to the Associate Attorney General. Below the Assistant Attorney General is the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General.

The Civil Division has six sub-components: the Appellate Staff; the Commercial Litigation Branch; the Torts Branch; the Federal Programs Branch; the Office of Consumer Litigation; and the Office of Immigration Litigation. Each sub-component is led by a Deputy Assistant Attorney General that reports to the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General.

The Honorable Tony West, Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Civil Division, testified at today’s hearing.