WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Merrick Garland, President Barack Obama's U.S. Supreme Court selection, on Tuesday failed to persuade Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley during a private meeting to hold confirmation hearings on his nomination.
"The meeting was cordial and pleasant. As he indicated last week, Grassley explained why the Senate won't be moving forward during this hyper-partisan election year," a statement issued by Grassley's office said.
The statement came after a 70-minute meeting the two men held in the Senate dining room.
Garland, a federal appeals court judge nominated by the Democratic president last month to fill the Supreme Court vacancy created by the Feb. 13 death of Justice Antonin Scalia, has been making a series of "courtesy calls" with senators in the hope of convincing them to move forward on his nomination.
The Republicans who control the Senate are refusing to advance the nomination, declining to hold Judiciary Committee hearings or a Senate vote. Democrats have accused the Republicans of historic obstructionism and of ignoring their constitutional obligations.
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The Republicans insist that the next president, to be elected on Nov. 8 and take office Jan. 20, fill the vacancy, hoping a Republican will win the White House race and choose a conservative rather than the centrist Garland.
"Grassley thanked Judge Garland for his service," the statement said.
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By Richard Cowan
