Senate Unanimously Honors Lindsey Graham With Rare Bipartisan Resolution

The Senate unanimously passed S. Res. 801 on July 13, two days after the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), approving a resolution honoring his life and legacy. The measure passed by unanimous consent the same day it was introduced, drawing bipartisan support from every other member of the Senate.

The resolution attracted 98 original cosponsors, including 51 Republicans, 45 Democrats and two Independents, with all 99 other senators joining the measure. The broad support reflects Graham's decades-long tenure in Congress and his role in bipartisan legislative efforts. One of Graham's most prominent bipartisan partnerships was with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) as co-leaders of the Gang of Eight immigration reform effort. Schumer is among the resolution's cosponsors.

Graham's Record as a Dealmaker

Graham served more than 30 years in Congress, first winning election to the House before joining the Senate in 2002. He was re-elected in 2008, 2014 and 2020. He also served as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and held a commission as an officer in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps, serving as a military reservist throughout his congressional career with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Graham was a foreign policy hawk who championed American military power abroad and played a key role in the conservative reshaping of the federal judiciary. He was also widely viewed as a close ally of President Donald Trump.

Republican colleagues offered tributes following his death. Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN) called Graham a "legend" who "actually cared" and was "passionate about pushing forward our agenda." Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) said Graham "can be succeeded in office but he cannot be replaced." Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), a frequent bipartisan partner, said his legislative skills and wit "will be sorely missed."

S.Res. 801 Lindsey Graham: A Moment of Unity

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who worked with Graham on the bipartisan Gang of Eight immigration effort, characterized taking up a Russia sanctions bill as an appropriate tribute to Graham's legacy.

President Trump issued an official order directing U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff at the White House and all public buildings, military posts, naval stations and federal vessels through 6 p.m. July 18, 2026. Trump called Graham "one of the greatest people and Senators" he had ever known and described him as a "true American Patriot."

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote that "America has lost a Statesman" and that "President Trump and the White House have lost a friend."

The Lindsey Graham Tribute Resolution

At the time of his death at age 71, Graham had spent more than three decades building relationships across party lines, even as partisan polarization intensified during his tenure. His best-known bipartisan effort came as co-leader of the Gang of Eight immigration reform negotiations alongside Schumer.

Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), who sponsored the resolution, called Graham a true statesman. According to Scott's official press release, Graham devoted his life to serving South Carolina and defending the nation. Graham graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1981 and was commissioned as an Air Force officer the following year.

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