Feds given more time to respond to Virginia health care suit

U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson has granted a request from U.S. Justice department lawyers that they be given more time to respond to a lawsuit from Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R) challenging the constitutionality of the federal health care law, giving them until May 24 to file their response. They will likely ask that the court dismiss the suit.

True to the Eastern District of Virginia's speedy reputation, Hudson had last week ordered that the feds respond in just 11 days--that deadline would be Tuesday. But the government requested more time and Hudson agreed.

From court filings, it looks as if Cuccinelli did not object to the 13-day extension. Earlier this week, he had said he was in discussions with the Justice department on the issue.