The Georgia state senate voted Monday to honor Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas by erecting a statue to stand in the state capitol, despite vigorous opposition from several Black senators.

The Associated Press reports that the measure was approved by a vote of 32-21 by the Republican-controlled senate and now goes to the statehouse for consideration, to the chagrin of legislators who were galled by the decision. One even went as far as calling Thomas a “hypocrite and a traitor.”

"It seems like white America keeps wanting to promote Justice Thomas, but we see more evidence where time and time again he subverts the struggles of Black Americans," Democratic State Sen. Nikki Merritt told the AP.

Thomas was nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1991 by President George H.W. Bush. He became the court’s second Black justice after Thurgood Marshall. But he has long faced criticism for his views on affirmative action and certain voting rights legislation, notes the AP. He has also widely been the target of scrutiny by the broad Black community for siding with other conservative justices on most issues.

The debate in the Georgia statehouse included contention that Thomas is still alive, and monuments are traditionally put up after a person dies. Opponents said such an honor should wait until he at least retires.

If The measure to raise a statue of Thomas is approved by the statehouse,  the monument will be paid for with private donations.