Republicans in the Virginia General Assembly will file suit later today in the Supreme Court of Virginia challenging Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s authority to order a mass restoration of rights April 22, covering more than 200,000 former felons.
The lawsuit, led by Speaker of the House William J. Howell, R-Stafford, and Senate Majority Leader Thomas K. Norment, Jr., R-James City, argues that McAuliffe exceeded his executive authority under the state constitution when he issued the April 22 order.
The suit petitions the state’s highest court to stop implementation of the order, and any subsequent mass rights restoration actions taken by the governor.