Judge Ginsburg Becomes The First Woman In History To Be Buried In The Capitol Congress Building

Chief Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - The Capitol Congress Building is the final resting place for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She became the first woman in history to be buried in the Capitol Congress Building. This is the highest form of respect, because only the most respected government officials are buried there.

Launching CNN, Tuesday, September 22, this historic event was announced by the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi. The final tribute ceremony will only be attended by invited guests due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Janazah Ginsburg's funeral ceremonies will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, so those invited can pay their final respects. The plan is for the coffin to arrive in front of the Supreme Court before 09.30 local time on Wednesday, September 23.

Private ceremonies with family, close friends and judges will take place in the Great Hall of the Capitol Building. After the ceremony, the coffin will be moved under the foyer at the top of the building's front steps.

Emergency memorials decorated with flowers and candles in tribute to Ginsburg line the sidewalk outside the Capitol Building. MPs from both parties, entertainers and athletes also paid tribute to Ginsburg. Inside the Capitol Building, benches were draped with black covers.

Ginsburg died at the age of 87 from complications of metastic pancreatic cancer. He has served on the Supreme Court for more than 27 years since being nominated by President Bill Clinton in 1993.

Ginsburg's passing has reignited debate about how the Supreme Justice seat vacated during Trump's last term in office in an election year. Trump's desire to replace the position of US supreme justice as soon as possible was opposed by various circles, even from some members of the Senate who are Republicans. Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine says the president-elect has the right to elect candidates for the supreme court.

But Trump does not appear to have heeded the warning. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he was focused on one or two candidates among the five being considered. He asked the Senate, which is controlled by fellow Republicans, to vote at the confirmation hearing.

"I prefer to vote (for candidates for supreme justice) before the election. We have plenty of time to do it, "Trump said.

Ginsburg's death gave Trump and his party the opportunity to form a 6-3 conservative majority in a court whose decisions affect many areas of life in the US. These include arrangements for abortion, health care, gun rights, access to votes, presidential power and the death penalty.