Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the panel would be fully prepared to vet a Supreme Court nominee if Justice Sam Alito were to decide to retire.
Grassley said he is recommending either Sen. Ted Cruz or Sen. Mike Lee to get the nomination.
- Lee clerked for Alito on the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and then on the Supreme Court.
- Cruz clerked for then-Chief Justice William Rehnquist and has argued before the court as Texas solicitor general and in private practice.
Grassley said he has not discussed his opinion with the White House, and has no sense of whether Alito has signaled he is ready to retire.
Alito is 76 and was appointed by George Bush.
Republicans are preparing to quickly confirm a replacement as control of the Senate has potential to shift to Democrats, and Senate Majority Leader Thune is on board.