### §501. Executive department

The Department of Justice is an executive department of the United States at the seat of Government.

(Added Pub. L. 89–554, §4(c), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 611.)

| Derivation | U.S. Code | Revised Statutes and Statutes at Large |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | 5 U.S.C. 291 (less last 10 words). | R.S. §346 (less last 10 words). |

Statutes at Large

The words "There shall be", referring to the establishment of the Department, are omitted as executed.

#### **Editorial Notes**

#### Prior Provisions

A prior section 501, acts June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 909; Mar. 18, 1959, Pub. L. 86–3, §11(a), 73 Stat. 9, related to appointment of United States attorneys, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 89–554, §8(a), and reenactment in section 541 of this title by section 4(c) of Pub. L. 89–554.

#### **Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries**

#### Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative

Pub. L. 116–288, Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 4884, provided that:

#### "SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

"This Act may be cited as the 'Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative Act of 2020'.

#### "SEC. 2. SERVICEMEMBERS AND VETERANS INITIATIVE.

"(a) Establishment.—There is established the Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative within the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice.

"(b) Duties.—The Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative shall—

"(1) serve as legal and policy advisor to the Attorney General on the Department of Justice's efforts to enforce criminal and civil laws that impact servicemembers, veterans, and their families;

"(2) develop policy recommendations for the Attorney General on how the Department of Justice may improve enforcement of Federal law to support servicemembers, veterans, and their families;

"(3) serve as the liaison and point of contact between the Department of Justice and the military departments;

"(4) provide counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs to ensure funding decisions take into account servicemembers, veterans, and their families;

"(5) consult with components of the Department of Justice to promote the provision of civil legal aid to servicemembers, veterans, and their families;

"(6) serve as a liaison and point of contact with the Consumer Protection Branch of the Civil Division of the Department of Justice, with respect to the prosecution of Federal crimes involving fraud that target servicemembers; and

"(7) serve as a liaison and point of contact with other components of the Department of Justice as needed to support the enforcement of other Federal laws that protect servicemembers and veterans, as the Attorney General determines appropriate."

#### Office of Justice for Victims of Overseas Terrorism

Pub. L. 108–447, div. B, title I, §126, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 2872, provided that: "The Department of Justice shall establish an Office of Justice for Victims of Overseas Terrorism."

#### Specific Authorization of Appropriations Required for Department of Justice

Pub. L. 94–503, title II, §204, Oct. 15, 1976, 90 Stat. 2427, provided that: "No sums shall be deemed to be authorized to be appropriated for any fiscal year beginning on or after October 1, 1978, for the Department of Justice (including any bureau, agency, or other similar subdivision thereof) except as specifically authorized by Act of Congress with respect to such fiscal year. Neither the creation of a subdivision in the Department of Justice, nor the authorization of an activity of the Department, any subdivision, or officer thereof, shall be deemed in itself to be an authorization of appropriations for the Department of Justice, such subdivision, or activity, with respect to any fiscal year beginning on or after October 1, 1978."