Rep. Steve Chabot Steven (Steve) Joseph ChabotKate Schroder in Ohio among Democratic challengers squelching GOP hopes for the House Centrist Democrats 'strongly considering' discharge petition on GOP PPP bill Lawmakers call for expanded AI role in education, business to remain competitive MORE (R-Ohio), who’s running to be the next Judiciary Committee chairman, said Friday that some justices on the Supreme Court may be trying to stave off retirement until President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE leaves office.

Chabot indicated he has no inside knowledge of the thinking of Justices Anthony Kennedy or Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who are frequent subjects of speculation about retirements. But he said it's a subject of discussion.

“The speculation is that some of these people are holding on because they don’t necessarily want this particular president to appoint their successor,” Chabot said in an interview with Hill.TV's "Rising."

“We don’t know if there will be any Supreme Court vacancies this year," Chabot said

“Obviously there’s been speculation about Ruth Bader Ginsburg and others as well, Kennedy, but we just don’t know that,” Chabot said. “Often times, we’re surprised by these types of announcements. With respect to Justice Ginsburg, there’s been speculation about that for years now."

Chabot said the political makeup of the Supreme Court is critical, especially given recent 5-4 decisions like the one Thursday where the court ruled that states can compel online retailers to collect sales tax.

Chabot is one of several Republicans seeking to replace retiring Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte Robert (Bob) William GoodlatteNo documents? Hoping for legalization? Be wary of Joe Biden Press: Trump's final presidential pardon: himself USCIS chief Cuccinelli blames Paul Ryan for immigration inaction MORE (R-Va.) in the next Congress.

Currently the Small Business Committee chairman, Chabot has been making the case that he’s the best candidate for the job because of his past experience in former President Clinton’s impeachment case two decades ago.

Chabot was one of 13 House managers during those impeachment proceedings.

— Scott Wong