Senators monitor Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito over potential retirement

United States senators are closely watching Supreme Court Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. after he hinted that he could retire next year, Roll Call reported. If Justice Alito steps down, any replacement selected by President Donald Trump would face a tough confirmation process on Capitol Hill. [1]

Justice Alito, who is 76 years old, had contemplated retiring earlier but chose to remain on the bench through the end of the Supreme Court term that recently started, according to Roll Call. Experts noted that replacing him will depend on whether he officially announces his departure. [1]

Justice Alito is an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. President George W. Bush nominated him to the high court on October 31, 2005, and he took office on January 31, 2006. He is the second Italian American justice to serve on the court after Antonin Scalia. [2]

Lawmakers are tracking the potential vacancy as the Supreme Court proceeds with its current term. Any future nomination by President Trump will require confirmation by the Senate before a new justice can take a seat on the bench, Roll Call reported. [1]