WASHINGTON, DC (KCRG-TV9) -- Republican Senator Chuck Grassley on Tuesday confirmed the Senate Judiciary Committee he chairs will not hold any hearings on anyone President Obama nominates to replace Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the Republican members of the Judiciary Committee said they would hold no hearings.

"We intend to exercise the constitutional power granted the Senate under Article II, Section 2 to ensure the American people are not deprived of the opportunity to engage in a full and robust debate over the type of jurist they wish to decide some of the most critical issues of our time," the letter said.

A debate over a successor erupted shortly after Scalia's death on February 13. President Obama has said he intends to nominate someone to replace Scalia. But Senate Republicans have said they want the next president to pick a new justice.