Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg recovering from heart surgery

WASHINGTON, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was recovering from heart surgery Wednesday morning after a stent was placed in her right coronary artery.

Ginsburg, 81, was hospitalized Tuesday night after experiencing discomfort during routine exercise, a Supreme Court spokeswoman said.

She underwent the procedure to remove blockage at the MedStar Heart and Vascular Institute at MedStar Washington Hospital Center on Wednesday morning.

"She is resting comfortably and is expected to be discharged in the next 48 hours," a statement from the court said. NPR's Nina Totenburg said Ginsburg was "awake and demanding work" and was planning to be back at work on schedule next week.

Ginsburg, who was appointed in 1993 by President Bill Clinton, is the court's oldest member and has survived two bouts of cancer. She has never missed a day of court deliberations, but has faced pressure from some in the Democratic Party to retire while President Barack Obama is still in office.

Ginsburg has repeatedly said she has no intention of stepping down as long as she is able to perform her duties -- especially because there's no guarantee Obama's pick to replace her could get through a Republican-controlled Senate.

"As long as I can do the job full steam... I think I'll recognize when the time comes that I can't any longer," she said in September. "But now I can."