As
previously reported, last month the Department of Justice dropped its appeal of the court's decision in
United States v. Nagarwala. In the case, a Michigan federal district court held the federal ban on female genital mutilation
(18 USC Sec. 116(a)) unconstitutional under the Commerce Clause. Yesterday, the House of Representatives filed a motion to intervene (
full text) in the case to defend the constitutionality of the statute. The
Detroit Free Press reports on this move by House leaders.