Capitol farewell for Ginsburg
Members of the armed services carry the casket of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg through the Rotunda to Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol on Friday. Ginsburg, who was appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1993 and died last week at age 87, is the first woman to lie in state at the Capitol.
WASHINGTON — The late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg became the first woman to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol on Friday in commemoration of her extraordinary life.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, DSan Francisco, said it was with “profound sorrow” that she welcomed the liberal icon and opened the private service on Friday. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, sat quietly with other elected officials, friends and family. His vice presidential running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris also attended.
Harris said RBG, as the late justice is known by many, “absolutely” and intentionally cleared a path for women like her in public life.
“She, first of all, made America see what leadership looks like — in the law, in terms of public service — and she broke so many barriers,” Harris told reporters at the Capitol. “And I know that she did it intentionally knowing that people like me could follow.”
Mourners gathered under coronavirus restrictions for the service for Ginsburg, who died last week at 87, as her casket made the short procession from the court’s steps where it had been on public view for several days to the East Front of the Capitol. A military honor guard carried it inside the Capitol’s stately Statuary Hall.
Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer welcomed Ginsburg’s casket with the Capitol in turmoil. President Trump is expected on Saturday to announce Amy Coney Barrett to replace the justice, only weeks before the election. A Senate confirmation vote is expected in late October.
Services were brief, with the rabbi’s reflections and prayer, before guests lined up to pass by the casket and pay their respects.
Toward the end of the line of mourners, one dropped to the ground and did three quick pushups. It was Bryant Johnson, the justice’s beloved trainer of her popular workouts.