Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Houston), who is on President Donald Trump’s shortlist of potential Supreme Court nominees, on Tuesday successfully blocked approval of a ceremonial resolution honoring the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Cruz objected to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s inclusion of language referencing the deathbed wish Ginsburg shared with her granddaughter about not wanting her replacement selected until “a new president is installed.”
“This endeavor started with a resolution that the majority put forward that was intended to be a bipartisan resolution commemorating the life and service of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg,” said Cruz during his comments on the Senate floor. “That follows the bipartisan tradition this body has followed in commemorating justices when they have passed. Unfortunately, the Democratic leader has put forth an amendment to turn that bipartisan resolution into a partisan resolution.”
“To turn Justice Ginsburg’s dying words against her is so, so beneath the dignity of this body,” Schumer shot back.
President Donald Trump is expected to announce his choice to replace Ginsburg Friday or Saturday. Cruz and Texas Sen. John Cornyn (R-Houston) have both indicated they support completing the confirmation process before the end of the year.
As of Wednesday, it did not appear there were enough defectors among the Senate’s GOP leadership to block the issue from moving forward.
