North Carolina Will Not Back Down From Bathroom Law by Justice Department Deadline

North Carolina Republican state leaders are gearing up for a clash with the U.S. Justice Department over its controversial new bathroom law banning people from certain bathrooms.

The department sent a letter to Governor Pat McCrory insisting North Carolina back down from the law, known as HB2, for violating the Civil Rights Act. The letter demanded a response from North Carolina by Monday.

“We will take no action by Monday,” House Speaker Tim Moore said Thursday, according to the Los Angeles Times. “That deadline will come and go. We don’t ever want to lose any money, but we’re not going to get bullied by the Obama administration to take action prior to Monday’s date. That’s not how this works.”

If North Carolina doesn’t comply with the letter, the Civil Rights Division of the DOJ can file a federal court order, or it could begin steps to limit federal funding for the state.

[LA Times]