Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he would recommend Republican Sens. Mike Lee of Utah or Ted Cruz of Texas should a vacancy occur on the Supreme Court.
Grassley made the comments to the Washington Examiner amid speculation that Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito may retire soon.
"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 told the Examiner.
"I got a sense on it that we'll be fully prepared to process it in the Judiciary Committee," Grassley added.
Both Cruz and Lee are members of the Judiciary Committee.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told the Examiner that Senate Republicans would be able to vote on a successor before the midterm elections.
Lee deflected questions regarding his Supreme Court chances.
"I want Justice Alito to stay on the court forever," Lee said. "He's the best there is, the best there has been, and the best there will be."
Grassley said he has not discussed the possibility of Alito's retirement with the Trump administration.
Alito was appointed to the high court in 2006.
Alito was reportedly taken to a hospital last month after falling ill at a Federalist Society dinner in Philadelphia.
Alito, 76, attended the March 20 event held in his honor and was scheduled to deliver the keynote address but did not speak. ABC News reported that he appeared tired and less engaged than usual, remaining seated as attendees approached him.
A Supreme Court spokesperson said Alito "felt ill during an event in Philadelphia" and, "out of an abundance of caution," agreed with his security detail's recommendation to seek medical evaluation before driving home to Virginia.
In the weeks since the event, Alito has appeared at oral arguments and shown no outward sign of health problems.
Sam Barron ✉
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