Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina known for his role as a critical dealmaker in Congress, died on Saturday at the age of 71 after a brief and sudden illness, his office announced. During his 23 years in the Senate, Graham was instrumental in negotiating with Democrats and members of his own party on key issues, from government shutdowns to foreign aid.
Key Role in Ending Government Shutdown
Earlier this year, when Democrats and Republicans were locked in a standoff that led to the longest partial government shutdown in US history at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Graham announced that the budget committee he chaired would work on a measure to fund agencies leading Donald Trump's mass deportation campaign. This helped rally the GOP behind a plan that reopened DHS, showcasing his dealmaking skills.
Bipartisan Collaborations
Dick Durbin, the number two Senate Democrat, said: "Lindsey was part of every important policy issue and an indispensable player in every Senate 'gang'. He was a fierce Republican partisan one day and a key bipartisan ally the next." Graham participated in several bipartisan groups, including the "gang of 14" that brokered a compromise on George W. Bush's judicial nominees, and the "gang of eight" that attempted immigration reform. He also worked with Democrats on climate crisis negotiations during the Obama administration, though talks broke down.
Support for Trump and Foreign Policy
Despite initially criticizing Donald Trump during the 2016 election, Graham became a key supporter. He played a major role in the failed effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act and took part in Trump's attempts to prevent Joe Biden from assuming office after the 2020 election. Graham was a lifelong foreign policy hawk, supporting the 2003 Iraq invasion and the use of Guantánamo Bay. Under Trump, he cheered the attack on Iran without congressional authorization and the commando raid that captured Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela.
Advocacy for Ukraine and NATO
While Trump waffled on supporting Ukraine against the Russian invasion, Graham was steadfast in advocating for continued aid. He returned from visiting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv just before his death. Graham also supported the US's Kurdish allies in Syria and co-sponsored a bill with Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal to impose sanctions on Syria's government. He was a backer of NATO despite Trump's flirtation with undermining the alliance.
Final Deals and Legacy
Graham was doing deals until the end. The day before his death, he was among a bipartisan group of four senators who announced a deal with the Trump administration on a bill to punish countries that buy oil and gas from Russia. Zelenskyy said Graham had updated him on the progress personally. Democratic Senator Chris Coons remarked: "While we disagreed fiercely on many policy issues, he was complicated and could not be pigeonholed. Several of my most important bills I have passed were with Lindsey, from conservation in Africa to promoting balanced American engagement with fragile states. I will miss having him as a partner in the Senate."
