The Civil Rights Division, created in 1957, is responsible for enforcing federal laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, sex, disability, religion, and national origin, such as the Voting Rights Act, the Fair Housing Act, and the Americans With Disabilities Act.

However, in recent years the division has been plagued with controversy over political interference in its hiring policies and its inadequate enforcement of civil rights laws, leaving the division with little impact as a federal enforcement agency.

As the new assistant attorney general for civil rights, Perez will need to rebuild the morale of the division and renew its commitment to working to enforce the civil rights of all Americans.

Perez' confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee is tomorrow.