Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who died last week at age 69, was eulogized Tuesday during memorial services held at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., with attendees describing him as a "true American original" whose influence stretched far beyond Capitol Hill.
Graham, the son of pool hall owners from Central Carolina, rose through Republican politics to become one of his generation's most influential voices on foreign policy and national security. He served six terms in the Senate and became known for his close relationship with former President Donald Trump as well as his decades-long friendship with the late Sen. John McCain.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican leaders praised Graham as a steadfast conservative who championed military spending and an assertive American global presence. Senate Majority Leader John Thune called him "a warrior for the causes he believed in" and highlighted his leadership on defense authorization bills.
"Lindsey never backed down from a fight, but he also knew how to build bridges when it mattered," Thune said at the memorial service. "That balance made him effective."
Former Vice President Mike Pence, who served alongside Graham during the Trump administration, described him as "unwavering in his support for our allies and unapologetic about American strength." In a written tribute, Pence wrote that Graham's "voice for freedom was heard in every corner of the globe."
Conservative commentator Hugh Hewitt, who knew Graham for decades, called him "the most consequential Senate Republican of his era" in an op-ed published Monday.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic lawmakers who worked alongside Graham acknowledged his capacity for bipartisanship, even as they noted policy disagreements over the years. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer described Graham as "someone who could disagree without being disagreeable" and recalled their collaborations on immigration and judicial nominations.
"Lindsey understood that governing requires conversation across the aisle," Schumer said in a statement released after the service. "We fought hard on many issues, but he always picked up the phone."
Former Senate colleague Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware noted Graham's work on climate legislation and nuclear security, saying these efforts demonstrated his willingness to work with Democrats when stakes were high.
"On matters of national survival, Lindsey put country first," Coons said. "That is worth remembering."
What the Numbers Show
Graham was first elected to the U.S. House in 1994 and won his Senate seat in 2002, defeating Democratic incumbent Ernest Hollings in a race that shocked political observers at the time. He was re-elected five times, most recently in 2020 with 55 percent of the vote.
During his tenure, Graham sat on the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee. According to Congress.gov records, he sponsored or co-sponsored more than 1,200 bills during his career, with approximately 100 becoming law.
His voting record over six terms showed consistent conservative positions: a Heritage Foundation analysis calculated his lifetime American Conservative Union rating at 88 percent. However, that same analysis noted his occasional breaks with party orthodoxy on immigration and foreign aid.
Graham raised more than $40 million for Republican candidates during campaign cycles between 2018 and 2024, according to Federal Election Commission data, making him one of the GOP's top fundraisers.
The Bottom Line
Graham's death leaves a significant void in Senate Republican ranks, particularly on foreign policy. His seat will be filled through a special election called by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, with potential candidates already positioning themselves for the contest.
The memorial service drew current and former members of Congress from both parties, as well as foreign dignitaries who worked with Graham during his time leading the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. His casket will return to South Carolina for a private burial at Arlington National Cemetery, where he served in the Air Force Reserve for 33 years before retiring as a colonel.
Graham's career spanned an era of Senate comity that has largely disappeared from Capitol Hill, and colleagues across the political spectrum cited his ability to maintain friendships despite fierce policy battles. What remains unclear is whether any current senator commands similar cross-party relationships or will attempt to fill that role.