Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) floated two of his Republican colleagues as possible nominees for the Supreme Court as speculation swirls over whether Justice Samuel Alito may soon step down.
Grassley, whose committee is responsible for ushering judicial nominees to Senate confirmation, told the Washington Examiner on Tuesday that he would recommend Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) for the high court post if Alito announces his retirement.
Both are Judiciary members and have long been discussed in GOP circles as contenders for the job. They are also ideological conservatives and have aligned themselves politically with President Donald Trump.
Alito, 76, has not publicly signaled whether he will step down, but he is one of the oldest justices on the court and is thought to be at least considering an announcement at the end of the current term, slated for late June or early July.
“I hope he doesn’t retire … but if he does retire, I’m going to suggest that either Lee or Cruz be put on the Supreme Court,” Grassley said.
When asked if he had a sense of which way Alito is leaning, Grassley responded: “I got a sense on it that we’ll be fully prepared to process it in the Judiciary Committee.”
His remarks echo those of Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), who told the Washington Examiner earlier on Tuesday that Senate Republicans would be prepared to vote on a successor before the midterm elections.
Senate Republicans have prioritized moving high-profile nominees quickly, most recently confirming Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin in a handful of weeks. As Judiciary chairman, Grassley helped usher his 100th district court judge across the Senate floor on Tuesday.
Lee, for his part, does not seem to be actively pursuing the appointment if it were to become available.
“I want Justice Alito to stay on the court forever,” Lee told the Washington Examiner. “He’s the best there is, the best there has been, and the best there will be.”
SENATE GOP ‘PREPARED’ TO CONFIRM ALITO HIGH COURT REPLACEMENT BEFORE MIDTERM ELECTIONS
Alito is part of the court’s 6-3 conservative majority, meaning any vacancy would not change the judicial makeup if Republicans confirm a conservative successor. The GOP is favored to retain the Senate in the November elections and has a three-seat margin, but control could flip to Democrats if a blue wave materializes.
Grassley said he has not discussed the possibility of Alito’s retirement with the Trump administration. The White House did not respond to a request for comment.