Democratic senators are holding back from urging liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor to retire despite growing concerns reminiscent of the situation with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in 2014.
Ginsburg, then an 81-year-old cancer survivor, chose not to retire under President Barack Obama, resulting in her seat being filled by President Donald Trump following her death in 2020.
This pivotal change led to the appointment of Justice Amy Coney Barrett, creating a 6-3 conservative majority on the Supreme Court, which impacted the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Hope Sotomayor (Credits: Yahoo News)
This has ignited discussions among liberal voices, suggesting that Sotomayor, at 69 and managing diabetes, consider stepping down during Joe Biden’s presidency while Democrats have Senate control.
This sentiment mirrors the earlier appeals to Ginsburg, which were so much unheeded, and reflects a desire to avoid further tilting the Court’s balance towards a conservative majority.
Members of the Judiciary Committee, particularly haunted by Ginsburg’s precedent, are not openly asking Sotomayor to resign but express hope that history does not repeat itself, potentially leading to a 7-2 conservative majority.
Justice Hope Sotomayor (Credits: NBC News)
Senator Richard Blumenthal voiced his respect for Sotomayor’s contributions and current capability as a justice. Still, he highlighted the importance of considering the broader implications of her tenure on the Court’s future composition.
He underscored the need for justices to balance personal health and energy levels with the national interest in maintaining a Court representing America’s diverse perspectives.
