Lawmakers Tearfully Honor Lindsey Graham With Somber Final Salute

Tears were visible in the US Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday as lawmakers from both parties gathered to honor the late Senator Lindsey Graham.

The South Carolina Republican died unexpectedly earlier this month at the age of 71.

Graham lay in honor during a solemn tribute that brought his casket to the Capitol Rotunda for a brief ceremonial viewing. The distinction from “lying in state” is significant: lying in honor is generally reserved for people who did not serve in the nation’s highest-ranking government or military posts.

His sister, Darline Graham Nordone, who succeeded him in the Senate, struggled to hold back tears as she stood with her husband and children during the deeply emotional service. GOP Leader John Thune also became emotional at the close of his eulogy, as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle openly wept.

Vice President JD Vance offered a gentler, more humorous moment in his remarks, remembering how Graham once boosted his Senate campaign by mentioning his fundraising website during a television appearance.

“In a four or five-minute TV appearance, Lindsey Graham raised us over $100,000, and that campaign stop was a critical part of me getting elected to the United States Senate, and of course, going on this incredible journey, that was who Lindsey Graham was,” Vance said.

Turning more reflective, Vance added, “I remember Lindsey Graham as a man who loved people, and because he loved people, he was willing to reason with them, to respect them, and ultimately to persuade them.”

Thune, in his own tribute, said: “It’s hard to think that there will be no more Senate dinners with Lindsey, that he won’t be dropping by my office to discuss some piece of legislation, or make laugh with his witty commentary.”

‘But I cling to the same faith that Lindsey had, to the sure and certain hope of the resurrection and the knowledge that death is not the end. I am the resurrection, the life, says the Lord. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die, and whoever lives by believing in me will never die,’ Thune added.

Members of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet who were present at the Capitol on Tuesday included EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, US Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, and US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. 

Democrats of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which Graham formerly chaired, were also spotted by the Daily Mail looking teary-eyed. Senator John Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat who typically shows up to the Capitol in a hoodie and shorts, donned a suit for Tuesday’s ceremony.

Darline was appointed by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster to fill her late brother’s seat and finish out his term, which expires in January. 

The senator has filed to seek election for the full term. 

A special primary election for the office will be held on August 11. That contest will advance to a runoff on August 25 if no single candidate wins a majority of votes.

Lindsey’s death was announced just after 2am Eastern time on July 12.

Aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease was the cause of death, according to a statement issued by his office at 5pm.

‘The death certificate will be PENDING until all the toxicological and microscopic testing are finalized, and at that point the death certificate will be updated to reflect the cause of death and appropriately classify the manner of death,’ the spokesman added at the time.

A 911 call for ‘cardiac arrest’ was placed from Graham’s residence around 8.30pm on July 11.