Posturing begins in process to fill Justice Ginsburg’s seat

WILKES-BARRE — U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Monday said that consistent with the precedent set by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in 2016, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat should not be filled until the presidential election concludes and the candidate chosen by voters is sworn into office.

Justice Ginsburg died Friday.

“The next Supreme Court justice is likely to be the deciding vote on whether the Affordable Care Act will be overturned, which will mean up to 5.5 million people in Pennsylvania will lose their protections for pre-existing conditions, and 996,000 more will lose their insurance entirely,” said Casey, D-Scranton.

Casey said “it is disturbing and hypocritical” that Republican senators would attempt to fill this vacancy now while Americans across the country have already begun casting their ballots in this presidential election.

“Especially when they were unwilling to even grant a hearing to President Obama’s nominee to the court in early 2016,” Casey said. “The American people won’t be fooled. They can see that, in the middle of a global pandemic that has claimed the lives of more than 200,000 Americans, President Trump and Senate Republicans are trying to use the Supreme Court to try to accomplish what they have not been able to do legislatively — destroy the ACA and rip healthcare away from millions of Americans.”

Casey said the nation mourns the passing of Justice Ginsburg, who he called “a pioneer for gender equality, a champion for human rights and a fierce defender of workers on an increasingly corporate Supreme Court.”

Casey said Justice Ginsburg served the nation honorably and with distinction for four decades.

“Her heroic battles with cancer inspired countless Americans,” Casey said. “I extend condolences to her family and may her memory be a blessing to millions of Americans.

U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Lehigh Valley, also issued a statement on Ginsburg’s passing.

“Our nation mourns the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Renowned for her legal intellect and sharp opinions, Justice Ginsburg served on our nation’s highest court for nearly three decades with distinction and honor. As just the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court, Justice Ginsburg was a trailblazer in the legal profession.

“While I usually disagreed with her legal and political views, she proved time and again that it is possible to disagree with someone without being disagreeable.

“Simply put, Justice Ginsburg left an indelible mark that will resonate for generations. I extend my prayers and deepest condolences to Justice Ginsburg’s family, friends, and colleagues.”

Gov. Tom Wolf and First Lady Frances also offered their sincerest condolences to the family of Justice Ginsburg.

“Justice Ginsburg was a truly remarkable figure in American history, as both a tireless defender of the Constitution, and as a pioneer for gender equality. Justice Ginsburg’s historic opinions from the bench broke down barriers for women and protected the vulnerable.

“Her contributions to our country cannot be overstated. Justice Ginsburg’s life and career have made America a more fair and equitable place. She was a tireless pioneer and made monumental and lasting contributions on issues such as gender equality, a woman’s right to choose, voting rights, immigration, health care and affirmative action. Justice Ginsburg never shied away from standing out by standing up for civil rights and equal protections.

“We join the country in mourning the passing of Justice Ginsburg.”

Former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic candidate for president, said in the coming days, “we should be focused on the loss of Justice Ginsburg and her enduring legacy.”

Biden the added, “But just so there is no doubt, let me be clear: The voters should pick a President, and that President should select a successor to Justice Ginsburg.

“This was the position that the Republican Senate took in 2016, when there were nearly nine months before the election. That is the position the United States Senate must take now, when the election is less than two months away.

“We are talking about the Constitution and the Supreme Court. That institution should not be subject to politics.”