by: George Colli Updated: Mar 17, 2016 - 6:49 PM

WASHINGTON —

The standoff is deepening on Capitol Hill over the President’s Supreme Court nomination.

Despite intensifying pressure from the white House, Republican leadership is digging in, again saying the appointment of DC Circuit Judge Merrick Garland the nation’s highest court will never happen.

Oklahoma Senator James Inhofe (R) says Garland called him shortly after his nomination became public. The two have a history going back to when Garland prosecuted the Oklahoma City bombing case in the 1990’s. Inhofe says that while he respects Garland personally, it’s not enough to persuade him to change his stance that the next president should appoint the nominee.

“Who the person is doesn’t really make much difference,” said Inhofe. “If President Obama would nominate George W. Bush to be on the Supreme Court, I would not consider his nomination.”

Several other Republican senators told us they would meet or speak with Garland, but will not vote to confirm him.

New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte’s office said in a statement:

“The nominee is an appeals court judge and out of courtesy and respect Senator Ayotte would be willing to meet with him, but she continues to believe that the American people should have a voice in the direction of the Court based on who they elect in November.”

Ohio Senator Rob Portman’s office almost echoed Ayotte’s statement:

“If the nominee requests a meeting, Rob would happy to sit down with him and explain his position.  This is a matter of principle, and Rob believes the American people deserve to have a voice in the debate over a lifetime appointment that could reshape the Court for generations.”

Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander said he will meet with Garland if his nomination gets out of the Judiciary Committee, but that isn’t expected. The committee’s chairman, Iowa Senator Charles Grassley says his committee will hold no hearing on the Garland appointment.

South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, who is on the Judiciary Committee,  says he’s not even been contacted yet about a meeting with Garland.

His office sent a statement saying “meeting or no meeting his positon remains the same – next President should pick the nominee.”

Oklahoma junior Senator James Lankford says he would meet with Garland, but that’s all he’d promise.

"I wouldn't have a problem with that,” says Lankford. “The President’s going to do his job and I'll do mine."

Not all Senators are even willing to meet or call Garland. FL Senator Marco Rubio, on his first day back to Capitol Hill since suspending his presidential campaign, said he doesn’t see the point in meeting with Obama’s nominee.

“I know enough about the record to know I wouldn’t support him,” says Rubio.

The stare down over President Obama’s chose to fill the vacancy left by conservative stalwart Justice Antonin Scalia is splitting this already divided Congress in the middle of a contentious presidential campaign.

Garland spent his first day after being chosen by the president meeting Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) was joined by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) in calling for a confirmation vote during a mid-day press conference at the Supreme Court.

Washington Senator Maria Cantwell took her pleas for a vote to the floor of the Senate.

“The president has done his job,” said Cantwell. “Now it’s time for the Senate to do ours- to advise and consent on this nominee.”

Depending on the results of the presidential election,  some republican senators are now saying they could be persuaded to vote on a confirmation in the months after the election but before the next administration takes over.