RICHMOND, Va. — Republicans in the Virginia House of Delegates want to give lawmakers standing in lawsuits where the attorney general and governor have chosen not to participate.
The GOP-controlled House approved a bill Monday giving themselves that power.
The bill, approved on a largely party-line 65-32 vote, is a response to Democratic Attorney General Mark Herring’s decision to fight Virginia’s ban on same-sex marriage.
Herring announced last month that he will join gay couples in two federal lawsuits challenging the ban. Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe has supported Herring’s move.
Never Miss a Beat
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights.
Republicans in the GOP-controlled House said McAuliffe and Herring had abandoned their duty to uphold the state’s laws, regardless of their personal views.
But Democrats argued that Herring had a duty to act as he did once he concluded that the state law violates the federal Constitution, which trumps state constitutions.
The measure was authored by Del. Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah County, and Del. Bob Marshall, R-Prince William County. Marshall was a principal architect of the 2006 state constitutional amendment, which was approved by 57 percent of voters in a statewide referendum.
Article continues below
“What a novel concept,” said Del. Joe Morrissey, D-Henrico County, told The Virginian-Pilot. “If you ask any law school professor or constitutional scholar, they will tell you with absolute certainty that no General Assembly can give or confer standing in federal court.”
The House-passed measure faces uncertain prospects in the Senate, where there is an even split between Republicans and Democrats and Democratic Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam has the power to break tie votes.
