Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a diminutive yet towering women's rights champion who became the court's second female justice, has died at her home in Washington. She was 87.
Ginsburg died of complications from metastatic pancreatic cancer, the court said. Ginsburg announced in July that she was undergoing chemotherapy treatment for lesions on her liver, the latest of her several battles with cancer.
Ginsburg spent her final years on the bench as the unquestioned leader of the court's liberal wing and became something of a rock star to her admirers. Young women especially seemed to embrace the court's Jewish grandmother, affectionately calling her the Notorious RBG.
Michigan’s political leaders are praising Ginsberg for her years of service.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she’s heartbroken at Ginsburg’s passing.
“Her intellect, her razor sharp wit, and her lifetime of service to our nation made her an inspiration to millions of Americans. I know there are a lot of women who are feeling worried right now about what this means for the future of our country,” says Whitmer. “The best way to honor Justice Ginsburg’s memory is by making our voices heard at the ballot box this November.”
Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and upon all public buildings and grounds across the State of Michigan to be lowered to half-staff immediately on Friday, September 18, 2020 to honor the life and service of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
In a tweet, State House Speaker Lee Chatfield praised Ginsburg’s many years as a lawyer and a member of the U.S. Supreme Court.
"RBG will be remembered as a trailblazer and tenacious fighter. She earned respect from people on all sides of the political spectrum. Her work ethic and true grit made her one notorious Supreme Court Justice. Now is a time to remember her and honor her," he wrote.
Michigan Congressman Dan Kildee praised Ginsburg’s legacy. He also called on the U.S. Senate to wait on choosing her replacement on the nation’s highest court.
“The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president. That isn’t just my opinion—those are words of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in 2016, when he blocked President Obama’s Supreme Court appointment in an election year. Pushing to fill Justice Ginsburg’s vacancy before the November election would be hypocritical and politicize the nation’s highest court.”
Recently, President Donald Trump released a list of 20 potential nominees to the U.S. Supreme Court.
