Senators ask Justice Department to keep GM responsible for recalls

A group of US senators has asked the Department of Justice to stop any efforts by General Motors to avoid the financial penalties associated with its failure to promptly recall vehicles with ignition problems.

According to Reuters, the five Democratic senators told Attorney General Eric Holder that the Justice Department should “intervene in pending civil actions to oppose any action by GM to deny responsibility for damages.”

The senators are trying to prevent GM officials from saying they’re not responsible for the actions of the “old,” pre-bankruptcy version of the company.

GM CEO Mary Barra spent time on Captiol Hill in early April, fielding a barrage of questions from Congress about the recall.