WASHINGTON (AP) – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley has had breakfast with the man whose nomination to the Supreme Court he has promised to block. The Iowa Republican dined with federal judge Merrick Garland Tuesday in the Capitol’s Senate Dining Room. Grassley evaded reporters afterward, and his office said it would release a statement on the meeting.  As usual, Garland said nothing to reporters.

Grassley has joined with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and most GOP senators in saying they won’t consider a replacement for the late Justice Antonin Scalia until the president elected this November nominates someone.  When he agreed to meet with Garland, Grassley said he would tell that to the judge. Democrats have relentlessly attacked Grassley for refusing to hold the usual hearings for the nominee.