Washington prepares to bid farewell to the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, with world leaders including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expected to attend his memorial services, even as his last legislative effort — a sweeping sanctions package against Russia — moves toward a final vote.
Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, died suddenly at age 71 earlier this month. Services begin Tuesday in Washington, starting with a ceremony in the Capitol rotunda, followed by a private funeral at the National Cathedral. Further services are planned in his home state of South Carolina, where he will be laid to rest. The tributes will close a political career that saw Graham rise from humble beginnings behind his parents' bar to become a leading voice on national security and foreign policy.
The sanctions package, a longtime priority for Graham, is designed to impose severe economic penalties on Russia for its war in Ukraine. It includes sanctions on President Vladimir Putin, senior Russian officials, and military leaders, as well as tariffs of up to 500% on Russian imports and tariffs of up to 100% on countries that buy Russian energy, such as China and India. The legislation also targets Russia's so-called shadow fleet of tankers used to evade export restrictions. President Donald Trump retains flexibility to modify or waive certain sanctions through a national interest certification, a key change added to the latest version of the bill.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has scheduled a procedural vote on the legislation Tuesday night, hours after Graham's funeral service at the National Cathedral. Thune expressed optimism about bipartisan support, saying he hoped for a large vote in favor. Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat who worked closely with Graham on the bill, called it a significant achievement. Quoting Graham, Blumenthal said, «It's a big effing deal. We all did well. We all did good.» Blumenthal added that the legislation was renamed in Graham's honor — a move pushed by his sister, Darline Graham, who has been appointed to fill his Senate seat, becoming South Carolina's first female senator.
The bipartisan effort reflects Graham's singular focus on public service and national security. Representative William Timmons, a South Carolina Republican and close friend, recalled Graham as someone who always encouraged colleagues to keep going, but whose prime motivation was service to the country. «It literally was his entire life,» Timmons said. The sanctions package, though not yet passed, is seen as a fitting tribute to a lawmaker who left a lasting impact on the world stage. Blumenthal acknowledged that work remains, saying, «I hope it passes. We're not there yet.» The vote later Tuesday will test whether the legislation can clear its first hurdle and move toward final approval, cementing one of Graham's final missions as part of his legacy.
