Senate Judiciary chair Grassley has breakfast with Garland

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley had breakfast Tuesday with the man whose elevation to the Supreme Court he has vowed to block and told him the Senate won't advance his nomination "during this hyper-partisan election year," the lawmaker's office said.

"The American people are grateful that Senator Grassley is standing up to President Obama's cynical attempt to force the Senate to confirm Merrick Garland, another liberal judge who will ensure the left dominates the Supreme Court for a generation or more," said Carrie Severino, chief counsel of the conservative Judicial Crisis Network.

With voters about to choose a new president and control of Congress at stake in November, Republicans don't want to infuriate conservative voters and approve a justice who could tip the court in the liberal direction.

Grassley was the 22nd senator to hold the traditional courtesy visit with nominee, though only the fourth Republican.

Besides Grassley, Garland planned to meet with 13 additional senators this week.