Virginia Lawmakers May Give Selves Standing in State Lawsuits

In cases where the attorney general's office declines to get involved, like the current same-sex marriage case

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 House approved a bill Monday at the Capitol giving them that power.

The bill 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.