Cruz blocks amended resolution honoring Ginsburg over language about her dying wish

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) blocked an amended resolution honoring the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Tuesday, objecting to language about her reported dying wish that her successor not be chosen until a new president is installed.

“All the kind words and lamentations about Justice Ginsburg from the Republican majority will be totally empty if those Republicans ignore her dying wish and instead replace her with someone who will tear down everything she built,” Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said while addressing the resolution, which was introduced by Republicans in the upper chamber.

“That, of course, is not the standard,” Cruz responded. “Under the Constitution, members of the judiciary do not appoint their own successors.”

The Texas Republican also said in his floor remarks that Schumer “put forth an amendment to turn that bipartisan resolution into a partisan resolution.”

“Specifically, the Democratic leader wants to add a statement that Justice Ginsburg’s position should not be filled until a new president is installed, purportedly based on a comment Justice Ginsburg made to family members shortly before she passed,” he said.

Schumer then said he believed “Justice Ginsburg would easily see through the legal sophistry,” adding that Cruz turned her “dying words” against her.

Cruz ultimately objected to Schumer’s proposed amendment to the resolution, saying it was “beneath the dignity” of the Senate.

Republicans are moving swiftly to nominate the next Supreme Court justice following Ginsburg’s death on Friday. The late jurist’s granddaughter said Ginsburg told her that her “most fervent wish” was that she not be replaced until a new president is installed.

Trump is expected to announce his nominee on Saturday. 

Senate Republicans appear to have the votes to confirm the president’s nominee this year despite criticism that then-President Obama’s nominee was blocked head of the election in 2016. 

–Updated at 12:57 p.m.