Senate Republicans returned to Washington on Monday with an uncertain agenda after the sudden death of prominent Republican Lindsey Graham, a committee chairman and key player who served as a crucial ally with President Donald Trump. Graham, 71, died Saturday evening after a tear in his aorta, according to a statement from his office on Sunday.
The shocking news came as another prominent Republican senator, former Republican leader Mitch McConnell, has been hospitalized for almost a month. McConnell broke a weekslong silence about his health Sunday evening, saying that he was still recovering after suffering from pneumonia and falling in his home.
A Majority in Flux
The continued absence of McConnell and the surprise death of the South Carolina senator have shaken Republicans who were already at odds with Trump and stalled on several priorities as they return from a two-week recess. The reduced Republican numbers in the 53-47 Senate are sure to add confusion to what was already expected to be a chaotic and difficult few months before the November midterm elections.
With McConnell out indefinitely and Graham's seat temporarily empty, the Republican caucus is down two members, effectively leaving it with a minimal 51-seat majority that could create hurdles for Senate Majority Leader John Thune as he seeks to pass major defense policy legislation and a new Russia sanctions bill, revive a lapsed foreign surveillance program and confirm Trump nominees, including Todd Blanche as U.S. attorney general.
Graham's Pivotal Role
Graham, who was one of Trump's closest friends in the Senate, often served as a pivotal intermediary. 'He was a great — like a gauge, a temperature gauge of the Senate,' Trump said of Graham on Sunday morning, noting he had talked to Graham on Saturday. 'He could go in and get something approved. He would just get people on his side.'
Graham chaired the Budget Committee, which has been facing pressure from Trump to advance a new party-line spending package including a major boost in defense funding. He was also a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, which has been working to land a deal to avert a government shutdown at the end of September. Graham was a member of the Judiciary Committee, which is set this week to hold confirmation hearings for acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.
A Packed Agenda Complicated by Loss
Graham's death strikes a blow to the 'peace through strength' part of the GOP as Trump shows little interest in traditional alliances and continues his criticism of NATO. Graham was a key voice against a growing isolationist stance within his party and championed the war against Iran.
Republicans return to a number of important agenda items, including the confirmation of Trump's pick for attorney general, Todd Blanche, and the confirmation of Jay Clayton, who Trump selected to be director of national intelligence and later temporarily blocked. They also must find a way to navigate Democratic opposition and Trump's continued ire to keep the government open and prevent a government shutdown.
Lawmakers from both parties are eager to highlight legislative victories ahead of the midterms, where control of Congress is at stake. But for Senate Republicans, who are already navigating an array of demands from Trump, their agenda grew further complicated over the weekend with Graham's death.
Under South Carolina law, the Republican governor can appoint a temporary successor, though that person would not necessarily inherit Graham's same committee assignments nor share his vast expertise in defense, foreign affairs and judicial matters. Senate Republican leaders will need to immediately begin to account for Graham's absence as they plot out their next three weeks in Washington before leaving for summer recess — and as they seek to deliver on campaign promises as the November elections loom.
