Photo courtesy of Rachel Malehorn, Wikipedia
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and second woman to serve on the bench Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away on Sept. 18. Her last wish being to remain on the bench until after a new administration took over. A trailblazer for women’s rights and equality, Justice Ginsburg pushed for political reform, allowing to improve the quality of life for millions of minorities within the United States. No matter one’s political affiliation, it cannot be denied that Justice Ginsburg was a powerful woman who broke through the glass ceiling, despite all the obstacles against her.
Minutes after the announcement of her death, Republicans were quick to find candidates to replace Justice Ginsburg’s seat, rather than respectfully mourning the death of such a historical political figure. President Trump has urged Senate Republicans to confirm his appointment of conservative Judge Amy Coney Barrett, who has publicly opposed reproductive rights.
Although the Republican party is attempting to gain as much support as possible for the presidential election, it may prove ineffective to appoint a new Supreme Court Justice. Many long-term Republicans have refused to support the president due to his tendency to make false claims, ruining the traditional image of the presidency and further inappropriate behavior. Such a fast nomination of a conservative judge will push some Republicans to vote for Democratic candidate Joe Biden.
Drastic confirmation hearings are at stake, such as those concerning reproductive rights and the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), which grants insurance to millions of Democrats and Republicans alike.
Democrats are working hard to hold off the nomination until after the results of Election Day are announced. Ironically, Republicans urged former president Barack Obama to hold off his nomination for the Supreme Court to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia months before his last term in office. Now that a member of their party holds the role of president, this same logic does not seem to be the case.
In the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden on Sept. 29, President Trump stated, “We have plenty of time. Even if we did it after the election itself, I have a lot of time after the election as you know. We won the election and we have the right to do it.”
Trump admits himself that there is no reason to appoint a new Justice this early. It is clear the president wants to have as many justices that support the Republican Party on the Supreme Court as possible for his political advantage. The Supreme Court is the most conservative it has been since 1950, with currently five conservative justices and three liberal justices.
It would follow precedent to hold off on filing the Justice seat until after the presidential election. Justices serve on the bench for life, and a majority of them being conservative will have decades of impact on the nation’s liberal-based policies.
May Justice Ginsburg rest in power.
