Cruz would be a ‘great replacement’ for Scalia on Supreme Court, says GOP leader

If Senator Ted Cruz doesn’t win the Republican nomination, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise has a consolation prize for him: Antonin Scalia’s Supreme Court seat.

"If he's not our nominee, I think he would be a great replacement for Scalia," Scalise said in a Fox Business interview, referencing the late Supreme Court justice who died in February.

Scalise suggested that regardless of their roles, Donald Trump and Cruz should “come together for the good of the country,” on a unity ticket or other arrangement.

"There's a role for him either way, whether he's the nominee,” Scalise said of Cruz.

Cruz, a former Supreme Court clerk, argued several cases before the court as Texas’ solicitor general. But Cruz has denied interest in a seat on the bench, telling CBS News that he would rather be “appointing three, four, five Supreme Court justices.”

The seat on the high court is likely to remain vacant until 2017. Senate Republicans said after Scalia’s death that they would refuse to hold hearings in the months before the presidential election, despite President Barack Obama’s nomination of Judge Merrick Garland for the seat last month. Garland has met with some Republicans for courtesy meetings, though their positions have not shifted.

This story was originally published April 26, 2016 at 1:06 PM with the headline "Cruz would be a ‘great replacement’ for Scalia on Supreme Court, says GOP leader."