Sen. Graham’s death looms large as lawmakers return to Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON —

A black cloth and white roses covered the desk of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham on Monday, the Senate’s first day back in session since the South Carolina Republican’s unexpected death over the weekend.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune held back tears as he finished a speech honoring Graham’s legacy.

“He was a friend to so many of us on both sides of the aisle, and I know that I’m not the only one who finds it difficult to imagine the Senate without Lindsey Graham,” Thune said.

As lawmakers reckon with the stunning loss, the GOP must also grapple with the political implications of his death.

Republicans sought to quickly address the impact of his absence on their narrow 53-47 majority in the Senate.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster announced that Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, will temporarily fill his seat while an election continues to determine his permanent successor. Thune later said that she will be sworn in on Tuesday afternoon.

Another GOP senator, Mitch McConnell, is still out due to health issues, leaving little wiggle room as Republicans try to get their agenda back on track.

Much of Congress’ work has been stalled due to GOP infighting in recent weeks, including a stalemate over the so-called SAVE America Act, President Donald Trump’s push to require identification and proof-of-citizenship to vote.

The bill doesn’t have enough support to win 60 votes in the Senate, which would require help from some Democrats.

In an effort to bypass that rule, House Speaker Mike Johnson has said that Republicans will try to use a process called budget reconciliation as a vehicle to pass the SAVE America Act on a party-line vote. The package is also expected to include other conservative priorities, including a boost in defense spending.

Other Republicans have raised doubts about the strategy. McConnell said during a recent committee hearing that “it’s safe to conclude there will not be another reconciliation bill,” a sentiment that Sen. Susan Collins, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, shares.

Graham’s death will loom large as that debate continues. He would have played a major role in the process as the chair of the Senate Budget Committee and one of Trump’s closest allies on Capitol Hill. Trump told reporters that he spoke to Graham about the SAVE America Act in a phone call just before his death on Saturday night.

Graham also served on the Senate Judiciary Committee. The panel will hold a pair of confirmation hearings later this week to question Trump’s nominee for attorney general and former personal lawyer, Todd Blanche.

A handful of Republicans on the committee have not publicly committed to supporting Blanche, following backlash over the Justice Department’s “anti-weaponization fund” that was later shut down.