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u.s. news Diasabra 26 september 2020

Ginsburg makes history at Capitol amid replacement turmoil

(AP) — Supreme Court Jus- sign of the cross before he and paying tribute, one dropped The honor of lying in state
tice Ruth Bader Ginsburg The court and the Capitol his wife clasped hands and to the ground and did three has been accorded fewer than
lay in state Friday at the U.S. face each other across the walked away. Fewer Republi- quick pushups. It was Bryant three dozen times, mostly to
Capitol as the first wom- street, separate but equal cans attended the service that Johnson, the justice’s beloved presidents, vice presidents
an ever so honored, mak- branches of government, was filled with women and trainer for her popular RBG and members of Congress.
ing history again as she had keeping check on each other Democrats. Sens. Elizabeth workouts. Members of the Rep. John Lewis, the civil
throughout her extraordinary and also the White House. Warren of Massachusetts and House and Senate who were rights icon, was the most re-
life while an intensifying A military honor guard car- Amy Klobuchar of Minne- not invited because of space cent following his death in
election-year battle swirled ried Ginsberg's casket in- sota, both former presiden- limitations imposed by the July. Henry Clay, the Ken-
over her replacement. The side. Election-season politics tial contenders, were among coronavirus were able to pay tucky lawmaker who served
flag-draped casket of Gins- have rippled through the those attending. The GOP their respects before the mo- as speaker of the House and
burg, who died last week at commemorations this week. whip, Rep. Steve Scalise of torcade carrying Ginsburg’s also was a senator, was the
87, drew members of Con- Noticeably absent after be- Louisiana, was there. casket departed the Capitol first in 1852. Rosa Parks — a
gress, top military officials, ing invited to Friday's service in early afternoon. private citizen, not a govern-
friends and family, some was Senate Majority Leader Defense Secretary Mark Es- ment official — is the only
with children in tow, to the Mitch McConnell, who is per and the nation’s top mili- As the hearse pulled away, woman who has lain in hon-
Capitol's grand Statuary Hall, leading the rush to confirm tary officers from the joint lawmakers, many of them or, a separate commemora-
paying respect to the cultural Trump's nominee while early chiefs of staff paid their re- women, including Pelosi, tion, at the Capitol.
icon who changed American state voting is underway. No spects. In the line of guests waved good-bye.
law and perceptions of wom- justice has been confirmed so
en's power. close to a presidential elec-
tion.
Democratic presidential Trump and first lady Melania
nominee Joe Biden and his Trump paid their respects on
wife, Jill, joined other invited Thursday as Ginsburg had
guests. His vice presidential lain in repose for two days
running mate, Sen. Kama- at the Supreme Court, and
la Harris said that “RBG,” thousands of people waited
as she is known by many, outside. Spectators booed
cleared a path for women like and chanted “vote him out”
her in civic life. “She, first of as the president stood silently
all, made America see what near Ginsburg’s casket at the
leadership looks like -- in the top of the court’s front steps.
law, in terms of public service
-- and she broke so many bar- But Friday’s ceremony fo-
riers,” Harris told reporters cused on Ginsburg's life and
at the Capitol. “And I know work rather than current
that she did it intentionally controversy. She was the sec-
knowing that people like me ond woman to serve on the
could follow.” Biden, who Supreme Court and the first
was chairman of the Senate Jewish person to lie in state at
Judiciary Committee when the Capitol. The proceedings
Ginsburg was confirmed 27 included musical selections
years ago this month, said he from one of her favorite op-
was brought back to when he era singers, mezzo-soprano
met her back then. “Wonder- Denyce Graves.
ful memories,” he said. Small in stature, large in
history, the Brooklyn-born
Mourners gathered to honor Ginsburg was remembered
Ginsburg under coronavi- as an extremely bright Co-
rus distancing restrictions lumbia graduate who was
with the nation in political passed over for jobs at a time
turmoil. President Don- when few women became
ald Trump is to announce lawyers, only to go on to re-
a conservative nominee to shape the nation’s laws pro-
replace her on Saturday, tecting women’s rights and
just weeks before the elec- equality.
tion. Trump’s third justice, “Brick by brick, case by case,”
if confirmed, would be sure said Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt
to move the court rightward of the Adas Israel Congre-
on health care, abortion and gation in Washington, she
other pivotal issues. A Sen- changed the course of Ameri-
ate confirmation vote would can law.
be expected in late October. “Today, she makes history
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi again,” the rabbi said.
said it was with “profound
sorrow” that she welcomed Ginsburg will be buried next
Ginsburg and opened the week in Arlington National
private service. Cemetery beside her hus-
She and Senate Democratic band, Martin, who died in
leader Chuck Schumer stood 2010. A mother of two, she
under gray skies as Gins- battled recurring cancer.
burg’s casket made the short As visitors paid tribute at
procession from the court’s Ginsburg’s casket, resting
steps where it had been on atop the catafalque used for
public view for several days Abraham Lincoln, the Bidens
to the East Front of the Capi- quietly joined. Joe Biden,
tol. who is Catholic, made the