The current Supreme Court is one of the most conservative in history, as proved by the Citizens United and Hobby Lobby rulings, and the decision to strike down parts of the Voting Rights Act, which has allowed to restrictive voter suppression laws passed in conservative states.
Justice Ruth Bader-Ginsburg, one of three women on the bench, and one of the more liberal members of the Court, recently sat down for an interview with Elle Magazine and the subject of her retirement came up.
Many have called for Ginsburg, who is 81-years old, to retire during President Obama’s tenure so that he can appoint another liberal judge.
“Who do you think President Obama could appoint at this very day, given the boundaries that we have?” said Ginsburg. “If I resign any time this year, he could not successfully appoint anyone I would like to see in the court.”
While Senate Democrats “took off the filibuster” for lower courts, it still remains for SCOTUS. Ginsburg is right; even if she did retire, it is likely that the GOP-controlled House would never allow for a judge as liberal as her to take the bench.
“So anybody who thinks that if I step down,” said Ginsburg. “Obama could appoint someone like me, they’re misguided. As long as I can do the job full steam…. I think I’ll recognize when the time comes that I can’t any longer. But now I can.”
Ginsburg has fought tirelessly for women’s rights during her entire term in SCOTUS. As long as she can keep up that fight at full strength, women are lucky to have such an ally on the bench.
