If the governor and attorney general won’t defend the state’s ban some legislators say they will. >> 32 lawmakers ask McAuliffe to appoint…
By JULIAN WALKER; KATHY ADAMS; BY JULIAN WALKER AND KATHY ADAMS | THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT | |
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If the governor and attorney general won't defend the state's ban some legislators say they will. >> 32 lawmakers ask McAuliffe to appoint legal counsel
Del.
The request is spelled out in a two-paragraph letter that Marshall, R-
It was the second procedural response of the day by House of Delegates Republicans to Herring's decision.
In a separate development, the House Courts of Justice Committee fast-tracked a bill that would give lawmakers standing to defend state laws that the governor or attorney general won't.
"It is imperative that we provide a mechanism to protect and defend the people of the Commonwealth and the laws they have duly adopted," Del.
A spokesman for McAuliffe did not commit the governor to a position when asked about the legislation but said McAuliffe supports Herring's conclusion "and his efforts to ensure that all Virginians are treated equally under the law."
He also said McAuliffe will continue to uphold his responsibility to execute the state's laws.
"If the bill passes the
Coy said the governor needed to consult with his legal counsel on Marshall's request.
The letter from Marshall - he's an architect of the 2006 constitutional amendment banning gay marriage - is signed by many of his House colleagues, according to a copy shared with reporters.
Thursday, Herring said his office will support efforts by two gay couples asking the
The plaintiffs include
A hearing on that case is scheduled for
Democrats in the House Courts of Justice Committee pushed back against their Republican counterparts, who moved up the vote on Gilbert's bill. He prefiled it
"We take our time on important issues, and we've not done that here," said Del.
The bill raises significant separation-of-power issues, said
"To proceed with this bill without an examination of its legality under our constitution and the consideration of the near endless variety of practical consequences is imprudent, if not irresponsible," he said.
Several Democrats on the courts committee raised similar concerns.
"I think we're making a big mistake here," said Del. Charniele Herring, an
Del.
"I've been pissed off when
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