Rhode Island judge to issue ruling following Libby v. Fecteau hearing

MAINE (WABI) - The first step in Maine Republican Representative Laurel Libby’s lawsuit against Democratic Speaker of the House Ryan Fecteau is now in the hands of a federal judge in Rhode Island.

U.S. District Court Judge Melissa DuBose heard arguments Friday for Libby’s request for a preliminary injunction.

Back in February, House lawmakers voted to censure Libby following her social media post involving a transgender high school athlete. As a result, Fecteau barred Libby from voting or speaking on the House floor.

During Friday afternoon’s virtual hearing, an attorney for Libby called the case “unprecedented.” He argued Fecteau is violating Libby’s first amendment rights, as well as the constitutional right to representation for her 9,000 constituents.

Representing Fecteau, an Assistant Attorney General for Maine argued the Speaker is protected by legislative immunity.

She said censure and the resulting punishments are long-standing House rules which Libby has agreed to in the past.

Libby could reclaim her right to vote and speak on the House floor by apologizing, which she has refused to do.

After Libby filed the lawsuit last month, the case moved out of state due to all of Maine’s federal judges recusing themselves.

The judge will issue a ruling in the coming weeks.

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