U.S. Senators Chuck Hagel and Ben Nelson were noncommittal Monday in their statements reacting to the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Alito, a judge on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, was named by President Bush to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor as an associate justice.

"In Judge Samuel Alito, President Bush has selected someone who would bring a deep base of legal and judicial experience to the court," said Hagel, a Republican. "I look forward to learning more about him as the confirmation process moves forward," he said.

"As I said with the nomination of Judge (John) Roberts and with Harriet Miers, I am looking forward to the confirmation process and looking forward to learning more about Judge Samuel Alito," said Nelson, a Democrat.

"Judge Alito needs to have a fair and thorough hearing, and we should withhold judgment until that process unfolds," Nelson said.