North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory has filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Justice regarding House Bill 2.

The lawsuit is in response to a letter from the DOJ to the governor last Wednesday notifying the state that the department deemed the states controversial law violated the Civil Rights Act.

The notice from the department set a Monday deadline for a response from the state as to how the state would “remedy” the violations by not implementing HB2.

McCrory released a statement on the lawsuit Monday morning:

“The Obama administration is bypassing Congress by attempting to rewrite the law and set restroom policies for public and private employers across the country, not just North Carolina. This is now a national issue that applies to every state and it needs to be resolved at the federal level. They are now telling every government agency and every company that employs more than 15 people that men should be allowed to use a women’s locker room, restroom or shower facility.”

McCrory is scheduled to speak about the state’s lawsuit on Monday afternoon.

Backlash was immediate against HB2 after McCrory signed the bill into law back in March.  Local municipalities have condemned it, artists have cancelled shows, and businesses have stopped plans.  North Carolina cities are fighting to keep big events like the NCAA Tournament.  A lawsuit against HB2 was also filed.

The groups suing the state released the following statement in Monday:

“While transgender people in North Carolina remain in the perilous position of being forced to avoid public restrooms or risk violation of state law, Governor McCrory has doubled down on discrimination against them. The federal government made clear that HB 2’s mandate of discrimination against transgender people violates federal civil rights laws but McCrory and other political leaders in the state have decided to risk federal funding to maintain that discrimination. Transgender people work for the state of North Carolina, attend school in North Carolina, and are a part of every community across the state. It is unconscionable that the government is placing a target on their backs to advance this discriminatory political agenda. Lawsuits are normally filed to stop discrimination—not to continue it.”

Facts And Myths (That McCrory Forgot) About House Bill 2