BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Lawmakers and local leaders in Massachusetts have been honoring the life of the late Supreme Course Justice Ruth Bader-Ginsburg following her passing on Friday night.
Many leaders also commented on Senator Mitch McConnell's announcement hours after Justice Ginsburg's passing, that President Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court would receive a vote in the U.S. Senate.
Senator Ed Markey
"Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a pioneer in the fight for equal rights and a role model to young women across the country. She was a trailblazer from beginning to end. She was brilliant, thoughtful, and a staunch advocate for freedom of speech, reproductive rights, and civil rights. She was the embodiment of true justice and what every jurist strives to become.
"More than 25 years ago, Ruth Bader Ginsburg had her confirmation hearing in the United States Senate. Under questioning about Roe Versus Wade, Justice Ginsburg gave this succinct and infallible answer: “The state controlling the woman is both denying her full autonomy and full equality with men.” That is what is at stake right now.
"Over the next six weeks, we must fight for Justice Ginsberg’s legacy. We must mobilize, organize, and remove Donald Trump from office to ensure that her service to our country and her commitment to justice and equality are never lost or forgotten.
"Majority Leader Mitch McConnell set the precedent in 2016 when he said no Supreme Court vacancies should be filled in a presidential election year. If he violates his own principle, when Democrats control the Senate in the next Congress, we must abolish the filibuster and expand the Supreme Court. In addition to the precedent set by Mitch McConnell in 2016, we hope that the GOP honors Ruth Bader Ginsburg's final wishes."
Senator Elizabeth Warren
"Ruthie was my friend and I will miss her terribly. The t-shirts simply labeled "RBG" made her notorious. But it was her wit, her tenaciousness, and her skill as a jurist that made her an icon. As a young mom heading off to Rutgers law school, I saw so few examples of female lawyers or law professors. But Ruthie blazed the trail. I'm forever grateful for her example - to me, and to millions of young women who saw her as a role model.
"Later, Ruthie's groundbreaking work as a legal advocate for women led to a distinguished career as a federal judge and a Supreme Court Justice. Her lifelong dedication to fighting for justice for everyone, and her love for our nation, will be sorely missed.
With voting already under way for the 2020 elections, Ruthie's "most fervent wish" was for her replacement not to be named 'until a new president is installed.' We must honor her wish."
Attorney General Maura Healy
“What is there to say that hasn’t been already said about Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg? This loss is devastating not just because a brilliant trailblazing woman is gone, but because of everything she represents. For so many Americans, she was their freedom personified.
Justice Ginsburg once said, ‘one lives not just for oneself, but for one’s community,’ and that’s how she lived her own life, dedicating much of her career to women’s rights, workers’ rights, civil rights, and justice under the law. We all owe this legal giant a debt of gratitude. May her memory be a blessing. Tomorrow we fight in her honor.”
Suffolk County District Attorney Rachel Rollins
“Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was one of the most influential people of our lifetime. She drove the legal battle against gender-based discrimination and helped move our nation significantly forward. She has been called a liberal icon, but every American, regardless of their political beliefs, has Justice Ginsburg to thank for pushing our nation closer to fulfilling the promises our Constitution holds."
"Justice Ginsburg was a groundbreaker who embodied the same courage in her private life as she did on the bench. As a cancer survivor, I have found great hope and strength in Justice Ginsburg’s multiple recoveries from cancers that threatened her throughout her time on the Supreme Court. Her strength was undeniable, her bravery and influence unmatched."
"I’m deeply grateful to Justice Ginsburg for her dedication to creating a more equal society. She represented the very best of what it means to serve. Her profound understanding of the law, her passion for this vital work, and her determination to achieve our nation’s unmet promises will impact us all for generations. We have lost a national hero. Now the fight becomes even more urgent for those of us that remain. May her memory be a revolution."
U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley
“Throughout her life, Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a tireless and unapologetic champion for women, families, and our most vulnerable communities. While she was 5’1” in stature, she stood as a giant for justice and equality.
"From her groundbreaking work to end legal discrimination on the basis of sex, to her trailblazing 27-year tenure on the Supreme Court, Justice Ginsburg played a central role in advancing critical ideals including pay equity, reproductive freedom, and LGBTQ+ rights. She was deliberate in her craft, and we are all better off because of her unwavering commitment to creating a more just world.
“As we mourn the tremendous loss of her passing, one thing is clear: we must honor Justice Ginsburg’s last wish and ensure that no replacement is appointed until a new president is installed in January. Any attempt by the GOP to push through a rushed appointment process when we are weeks away from a Presidential election would be a calloused affront to her notorious legacy.
“To honor Justice Ginsburg and protect our Democracy, we will turn our collective grief into action. Tonight, I’ll be holding Justice Ginsburg, her family, and all those who loved her in my prayers. May she rest. In peace, in power, with dignity.”
U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton
“Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death is a profound loss for America. Few people have been as impactful in advancing and protecting the rights of their fellow citizens as Justice Ginsburg. She never stopped fighting to better our nation, and in this dark era we should look to her legacy for hope.
"Justice Ginsburg’s dying wish was that she not be replaced until a new president is installed. Senator McConnell should follow the precedent he set when he denied the appointment of Merrick Garland and refrain from confirming a new justice until after the election.”
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh
"Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was many things to the American people. A brilliant jurist. A fearless trailblazer. A tireless champion of justice & equality who exemplified grace & strength. She made this country a better place for all. May she rest in eternal peace. God bless RBG."
Gov. Charlie Baker
"I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. RBG was a force of nature and a role model for so many women and all Americans.Her friendship with the late Antonin Scalia spoke volumes about her ability to separate the person from the politics. Her incredible career and life’s work bettered our nation and serve as an inspiration to us all. Rest in peace, you will be missed.
"The passing of Justice Ginsburg is not only a loss for the court but for the entire nation, and I urge President Trump and the U.S. Senate to allow the American people to cast their ballots for President before a new justice is nominated or confirmed. The Supreme Court is too important to rush and must be removed from partisan political infighting."
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