Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear discussed the death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg during a Monday COVID-19 briefing in Frankfort. He recognized Ginsburg as an inspiration for his law career prior to his governorship, and said her life and legacy should be honored above political fights over her replacement.
“I believe anyone deserves to be grieved for a couple of days before people start playing a political game or trying to figure out what’s in the will,” Beshear said. “And in many ways, I think that what’s going on right now, kind of feels like that.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky’s senior senator, said shortly after Ginsburg’s death the Senate will vote on President Trump’s nominee to the high court. Beshear called on Republican senators to honor the precedent created in 2016 when lawmakers failed to consider President Barack Obama’s nomination of Judge Merrick Garland to replace late Justice Antonin Scalia.
“If you make a promise during one period of time that if something happens four years later you’ll do the same thing, you ought to keep your word,” Beshear said.
The state reported 406 new cases of COVID-19 Monday, including 66 children under 18. The positivity rate continues to decrease, currently sitting at 3.77%
The number of Kentuckians hospitalized with the coronavirus is 474, including 108 in the commonwealth’s intensive care units.
Kentucky death toll rose by one Monday after a 77-year-old woman from Scott County succumbed to COVID-19.
Find more information on Kentucky’s response to the coronavirus here.
