Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli is weighing a move aimed at expediting a ruling on the state’s lawsuit over the federal health care overhaul, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports.
Cuccinelli is considering filing a petition with the United States Supreme Court asking that the case be allowed to bypass the appeals court process and go straight to the Supreme Court for a ruling.
U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson, who heard oral arguments from both sides on the case in October, said he would likely issue a ruling on the constitutionality of the law by the end of the year. Many believe, however, that regardless of that outcome, the case will end up before the Supreme Court.
Such petitions are rarely granted, however, according to the Times-Dispatch. According to U.S. Code they are only granted when the case involved is so important that it justifies bypassing the normal appeals process.
