U.S. Department
of Justice
About the Office of Legislative Affairs
The mission of OLA is to represent the Department before Congress and its various committees, managing all interactions regarding cases and investigations, policy, legislation, political appointments and nominations, and other matters in a manner consistent with the Department’s law enforcement, litigation, and national security responsibilities. OLA is responsible for developing strategies to execute the Attorney General’s legislative initiatives.
Major Functions
- Manage and direct all legislative functions and communications between Congress and the Department.
- Develop and implement strategies to advance the Department’s legislative initiatives and other interests relating to Congress.
- Articulate the Department’s position on legislation proposed by Congress.
- Coordinate the Department’s response to Congressional oversight requests and interagency clearance of all Congressional testimony.
- Assist in the Senate confirmation process for federal judges and Department nominees, including Assistant Attorneys General and U.S. Attorneys.
- Lead preparation for Congressional hearings and briefings involving Department officials.
- Manage the Office of Management and Budget interagency legislative clearance process.
History
The Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA) was established in the Department of Justice on February 2, 1973, by Attorney General Order 504-73, to be the coordinating center for all Department activities relating to legislation and the Congress. The Office was subsequently reorganized into the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs on January 24, 1984, by Attorney General Order No. 1054-84. Attorney General Order 1097-85 reestablished the Office of Legislative Affairs as an independent office on February 4, 1986. Most recently, on May 2, 2019, the Attorney General established the State and Local Law Enforcement unit within OLA.