North Jersey Politicians React To Death Of Ruth Bader Ginsburg

NEW JERSEY — There were no shortage of anecdotes on Friday evening after it was reported Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died of complications of metastatic pancreas cancer.

Ginsburg, 87, died at her home in Washington D.C., but her influence was felt across the country, including in Bergen and Passaic County.

"In a difficult year, this is a devastating blow for our country," said Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr.

Pascrell was just one area politician to offer their thoughts on Ginsburg's legacy.

"Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, aka Notorious RBG, was a pioneer and a role model for women across generations. I thank her for her lifetime fighting for me, my mother, my daughters, and millions of women. Her memory is a blessing," wrote Rep. Mikie Sherrill on Twitter.

"It’s hard to believe that our country has lost a living legend. Justice Ginsburg was not only a trailblazer on and off the Court in her lifelong fight for justice and equality, but she was also an icon and inspiration for so many who followed her lead," wrote Rep. Josh Gottheimer.

"May her memory be a blessing."

Anecdotes and memories quickly shifted to politics, as decision makers began expressing concern about what comes next after President Donald Trump said he would move to appoint Ginsburg's replacement prior to the Nov. 3 election.

"We were put in this position of power and importance to make decisions for the people who so proudly elected us, the most important of which has long been considered to be the selection of United States Supreme Court Justices," Trump tweeted.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the President's nominee "will receive a vote on the floor of the United States Senate," a departure from his stance in 2016, when a Republican Senate blocked President Barack Obama's nominee, Merrick Garland, after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.

Pascrell spoke out against the decision to replace Ginsburg prior to the election, which many are calling hypocritical.

"At one’s passing, politics should take a backseat. But with our democracy at the precipice, these are no ordinary times. By the test constructed by Senate Republicans in 2016 after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, the Senate should wait on a replacement for Justice Ginsburg until after January 20, 2021," said Pascrell.

"Given the theft of that seat in 2016, I have few allusions about Leader McConnell’s designs this evening. But any senators who seek to replace Justice Ginsburg should accept that doing so may tear America apart irreparably."

For more on the life and legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, read Beth Dalbey's Patch obituary: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Supreme Court Liberal Stalwart, Dies At 87