Heather Curtis
WMAL.com
WASHINGTON — (WMAL) The Maryland State Senate votes 29 to 17 today in favor of a joint resolution to give Attorney General Brian Frosh the authority to sue the federal government without getting permission from Gov. Larry Hogan first.
The joint resolution was proposed by Democrats in response to concerns from their constituents about how President Donald Trump’s executive orders will affect them.
The passage of the joint resolution came after more than two hours of debate Thursday and debate Friday. Some Republicans walked out during yesterday’s debate saying they didn’t have enough time to amend or discuss it. The senators voted 28 to 18 against delaying a vote until the joint resolution could be further vetted.
Friday, Sen. Victor Ramirez, a Democrat from Prince George’s County, said illegal immigrants in his district are scared of getting deported. Sen. Nancy King, a Democrat representing Gaithersburg and Germantown, argued her Muslim constituents are also afraid. Ramirez said they have to give the attorney general the ability to advocate to do the right thing for Maryland residents.
Sen. Stephen Waugh, a Republican who represents Calvert and St. Mary’s counties, said the joint resolution would give the attorney general too broad of an ability to sue the federal government.
This isn’t the end of the road for the joint resolution. In order to become law, it also needs to be passed by the Maryland House of Delegates. Since it’s a resolution and not a bill, Hogan would not have the ability to veto it.
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