The House of Delegates on Tuesday advanced a measure that would let Attorney General Brian Frosh sue the federal government without Gov. Larry Hogan’s permission, nearly assuring the measure’s final passage on Wednesday.

The Maryland General Assembly has moved swiftly in the past two weeks to expand the power of the attorney general to initiate lawsuits against the federal government, prompted by Republican President Donald Trump’s controversial executive orders.

The Democrat-controlled legislature proposed allowing Frosh, a Democrat, to bypass Hogan, a Republican, who currently must grant the attorney general permission to pursue legal action.

Frosh said last week he asked Hogan on Feb. 1 for permission to challenge the constitutionality of Trump’s travel ban. Hogan did not answer the request.

Republicans in the General Assembly have argued it is unwise to grant unchecked and expanded powers to the attorney general.

The Maryland General Assembly is moving quickly to expand the power of the attorney general to sue the Trump administration without Gov. Larry Hogan’s permission.

Acting with uncommon speed, the state Senate gave final approval Friday to a joint resolution broadening the authority of the state’s…

The Maryland General Assembly is moving quickly to expand the power of the attorney general to sue the Trump administration without Gov. Larry Hogan’s permission.

Acting with uncommon speed, the state Senate gave final approval Friday to a joint resolution broadening the authority of the state’s…

The resolution expanding Frosh’s powers allows him to sue the federal government for action or inaction that jeopardizes Maryland residents’ health care, civil liberties, economic security, environment, immigration rights or international travel.

The Maryland Senate approved the measure on Friday. House Republicans unsuccessfully tried to water down the proposal on Tuesday by requiring Frosh to get approval from a panel of state lawmakers before he filed a lawsuit. The amendment failed.

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Comptroller Peter Franchot’s tax fraud bill will face a hearing on Wednesday in a Senate committee. (Michael Dresser/Baltimore Sun video)

Comptroller Peter Franchot’s tax fraud bill will face a hearing on Wednesday in a Senate committee. (Michael Dresser/Baltimore Sun video)

Democratic members of the General Assembly are pushing for a law that would dramatically curtail state and local cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Democratic members of the General Assembly are pushing for a law that would dramatically curtail state and local cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

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