Hundreds of U.S. lawmakers gathered in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday to honor the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, marking the beginning of two days of memorial services in Washington, D.C., and South Carolina, according to Reuters. Graham, 71, died suddenly on July 11 at his home in Washington of a likely aortic tear, according to preliminary findings reported by India Today.
Washington Tributes Honor Late Senator Lindsey Graham
His flag-draped casket was carried into the Capitol by an armed forces body bearer team in recognition of his military service, with a U.S. Capitol Police memorial guard standing watch inside the Rotunda, as detailed by Newsweek. Vice President JD Vance addressed the morning service at the Capitol, recalling Graham as a compelling figure whose risqué jokes could make him laugh to the point of abdominal cramps, while Senate Majority Leader John Thune praised his dedication to his work and his capability of cracking up a room, as noted by Reuters and India Today.
Bipartisan Remembrance and Foreign Policy Legacy
Graham spent more than three decades in Congress, first winning a House seat in the 1994 Republican wave before winning election to the Senate in 2002, according to India Today. Known for his outspoken support for an assertive foreign policy, he had recently returned from a trip to Turkey for a NATO summit and a visit to Ukraine, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy just a day before his death, according to Reuters and usnews.com.
At the Capitol, lawmakers from both parties showed visible emotion, with Senator Chris Coons crossing himself at the casket and former Senator Richard Burr leaning forward to kiss it, as reported by Newsweek. The Senate was also expected to vote on a bipartisan package of new sanctions on Russia that Graham had spent his final days trying to push across the finish line, with senators noting the package should be advanced quickly as a tribute to him, according to Reuters and India Today.
Funeral Services at Washington National Cathedral
Following the morning ceremony at the Capitol, a funeral service was scheduled for the afternoon at the Washington National Cathedral, according to usnews.com. President Donald Trump, who Graham denounced early in his political career before becoming a staunch supporter and frequent golf partner, was due to speak at the cathedral, according to Reuters.
It really ended up being a great friendship,
Trump said of his fellow Republican in an interview with Fox News on Tuesday, praising him for helping navigate partisan politics in Washington, as reported by Reuters. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy were also expected to attend the cathedral service alongside lawmakers and foreign leaders, reflecting Graham’s long-standing belief in the U.S. military role in global affairs, as detailed by India Today.
Upcoming Services in South Carolina
Following Tuesday’s events in Washington, Graham’s remains will return to South Carolina for additional public tributes on Wednesday, beginning with a procession that stops at the South Carolina State House and continues to the First Baptist Church of Columbia for a public funeral service, according to Newsweek and usnews.com. Afterward, his family will hold a private burial service in Pickens County, South Carolina, as noted by usnews.com. Additionally, the White House has announced that Joint Base Charleston will be renamed in his honor, according to India Today.
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