DES MOINES, IOWA - U.S. Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa may soon become the third-in-line for the U.S. Presidency.
Orrin Hatch has served in the U.S. Senate for 42 years and is currently the longest serving senator, but he has announced his retirement at the end of this year.
Hatch's retirement announcement could put Grassley in line to become president, reports WHO TV. The current succession order is Vice President Mike Pence, followed by House Speaker Paul Ryan, and then Senate President pro tempore Hatch. When Hatch retires, Mississippi Senator Thad Cochran would become third in line for the presidency, but Cochran is expected to announce his own retirement this month because of health concerns.
If that happens, Iowa Senator Charles Grassley would be in the number three position, and would also make him the longest-serving Republican in the U.S. Senate.
Grassley was elected to the seat in 1980.