Washington (CNN) President Barack Obama confronted Republican Senate leaders in the Oval Office Tuesday over their insistence that no Supreme Court nominee will be given consideration in the coming year.

But less than an hour after the session's start, there was little evidence of progress toward reconciling the deeply entrenched positions on the vacancy.

"They were willing to meet with the President. They could at least meet with the President's nominee, which looks like it should be coming very quickly. They were adamant. They said, 'Nope,' " said Democratic Leader Sen. Harry Reid at the meeting's conclusion. "All we want them to do is to fulfill their constitutional duty and do their jobs. At this stage they decided not to that. They're going to wait and see what President Trump will do I guess."

Obama was seen smiling at the start of the session with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley. Reid, Vice President Joe Biden, and top Judiciary Committee Democrat Patrick Leahy also attended the meeting.

There was little expectation ahead of time that either side would budge.

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