Graham’s death leaves Senate Republicans with gaps on Trump agenda
The South Carolina senator’s death affects voter ID legislation, reconciliation planning, a Justice Department nomination and Ukraine policy.
By Sarah Jenkins · Chief Macro Economics Correspondent
· 4 min read
Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death at 71 removes a senior Republican dealmaker from the Senate as Congress faces several unresolved items on President Donald Trump’s agenda. CNBC reported that the South Carolina Republican’s absence is expected to affect work on voter ID legislation, a third reconciliation package, the nomination of Todd Blanche for attorney general and Ukraine-related sanctions and aid.
Graham chaired the Senate Budget Committee and also served on the Appropriations, Judiciary, and Environment and Public Works committees, according to CNBC. His committee assignments placed him at the center of spending, judicial and infrastructure debates, while his relationship with Trump made him a frequent intermediary between the White House and Senate Republicans.
CNBC reported that Graham helped pass Trump’s reconciliation tax-and-spending law, known by the White House as the “one big, beautiful bill.” His death comes before the Senate’s pre-midterm push to advance several remaining Republican priorities ahead of November elections.
Voter ID bill loses a key advocate
Trump’s SAVE America Act, a broad bill that would require voter ID and proof of citizenship to vote along with other White House-backed measures, was one of Graham’s recent priorities, CNBC reported. The bill faces strong Democratic opposition and remained short of the 60 Senate votes needed to overcome a filibuster, according to CNBC.
Trump said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that Graham’s death would make the measure harder to advance. “This is a big blow to the Save America Act, let me tell you,” Trump said. “He was pushing for the SAVE America Act like crazy.”
Trump also said he had spoken with Graham about the legislation the night before the senator’s death. “He called, and he said we’re all set for the Save America Act,” Trump said. “He literally called me about the Save America Act.”
Budget committee vacancy affects reconciliation
Graham’s role as Budget Committee chairman gave him direct influence over any additional reconciliation measure Republicans might try to pass this year. Reconciliation allows certain budget-focused legislation to pass the Senate without the 60 votes normally needed to cut off debate, but the provisions must comply with the Byrd Rule, the Senate’s limit on non-budgetary items in such bills.
Congress has already passed two reconciliation bills this year, according to CNBC. A possible third package, still unsettled, was expected to address military stockpiles depleted by the war with Iran, affordability issues and fraud. CNBC reported that Graham’s death leaves the Budget Committee without a chairman and disrupts any planning he had done for that legislation.
Blanche nomination faces tighter math
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump’s nominee to lead the Justice Department, also faces a narrower path in the Senate Judiciary Committee. CNBC reported that the panel previously had 12 Republicans and 10 Democrats; Graham’s death changes that balance to 11 Republicans and 10 Democrats.
Sen. Thom Tillis, Republican of North Carolina, has not committed to supporting Blanche, CNBC reported. Tillis has said he has a positive predisposition toward the nominee and has met with Trump’s former personal attorney. If Tillis opposed Blanche and all Democrats did the same, CNBC reported, the nomination would fail in committee by an 11-10 vote.
Ukraine policy loses a Senate broker
Graham was among Ukraine’s strongest Republican supporters during Russia’s invasion, which CNBC said began in 2021. The network reported that he helped move Ukraine aid through Congress and worked to support Trump’s backing for additional assistance.
Trump entered office pledging to end the war and was more confrontational toward Ukraine than former President Joe Biden, CNBC reported. After lobbying by Graham, Trump later became more open to aid, and recently said Ukraine would be licensed to make Patriot missile interceptors, according to Reuters.
On Friday, Graham announced on X that he and other senators had reached an agreement with the White House to move forward on an updated Russia sanctions package. The senators said the measure was intended to raise the cost for buyers of Russian oil and natural gas, which they said funds President Vladimir Putin’s war effort.
This story draws on original reporting from CNBC.
