DNC Chair Tom Perez released the following statement on the passing of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg:

“Five years ago, Ruth Bader Ginsburg was asked in an interview, ‘When the time comes, what would you like to be remembered for?’ She replied, ‘Someone who used whatever talent she had to do her work to the very best of her ability, and to help repair tears in her society.’ Throughout her extraordinary career, Ruth Bader Ginsburg did her very best to repair the tears in our society. She was a brilliant jurist, a fearless champion for justice, a trailblazer for countless women and girls, and a tireless advocate for the rights of those on society’s margins. With a sharp mind and even sharper wit, Justice Ginsburg changed our court and our country for the better. The Supreme Court has lost a giant today, and America has lost a hero. May her memory be a blessing, and may her family find solace in the prayers of a grateful nation.

“As we mourn this tragic loss, we also recognize the gravity of Justice Ginsburg’s position. There is now a vacancy at the U.S. Supreme Court, and it should be filled with a justice who embodies the same integrity, courage, and commitment to equality that Justice Ginsburg showed on the bench and throughout her life. As was Justice Ginsburg’s final wish, the American people deserve a voice in this decision. And they will make their voices heard in November.”