WASHINGTON — Mark Kirk on Tuesday became the first Republican senator to meet with Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland, criticizing GOP leaders’ refusal to hold confirmation hearings or a vote on the longtime federal judge and praising him as “one of the most eminent jurists in the country.” There was no sign the session would erode Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s insistence on leaving the vacancy unfilled until President Barack Obama’s replacement names a selection next year.