§ 503. — Attorney General.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 28USC503]
TITLE 28--JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE
PART II--DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
CHAPTER 31--THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
Sec. 503. Attorney General
The President shall appoint, by and with the advice and consent of
the Senate, an Attorney General of the United States. The Attorney
General is the head of the Department of Justice.
(Added Pub. L. 89-554, Sec. 4(c), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 612.)
Historical and Revision Notes
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Revised Statutes and
Derivation U.S. Code Statutes at Large
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5 U.S.C. 291 (last 10 R.S. Sec. 346 (last
words). 10 words).
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The words ``The President shall appoint, by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate'' have been added to conform the section with the
Constitution. See article II, section 2, clause 2.
Prior Provisions
A prior section 503, act June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 909,
related to appointment of attorneys to assist United States attorneys,
prior to repeal by Pub. L. 89-554, Sec. 8(a), and reenactment in section
543 of this title by section 4(c) of Pub. L. 89-554.
Actions Challenging Appointment of Attorney General on Grounds of
Violation of Constitutional Provisions Governing Compensation and Other
Emoluments
Pub. L. 93-178, Sec. 2, Dec. 10, 1973, 87 Stat. 697, provided that:
``(a) Any person aggrieved by an action of the Attorney General may
bring a civil action in the appropriate district court to contest the
constitutionality of the appointment and continuance in office of the
Attorney General on the ground that such appointment and continuance in
office is in violation of article I, section 6, clause 2, of the
Constitution. The United States district courts shall have exclusive
jurisdiction, without regard to the sum or value of the matter in
controversy, to determine the validity of such appointment and
continuance in office.
``(b) Any action brought under this section shall be heard and
determined by a panel of three judges in accordance with the provisions
of section 2284 of title 28, United States Code. Any appeal from the
action of a court convened pursuant to such section shall lie to the
Supreme Court.
``(c) Any judge designated to hear any action brought under this
section shall cause such action to be in every way expedited.''
