The death of Senator Lindsey Graham complicates the agenda of Senate Republicans amid a crucial July ahead of the August break and November midterms.
Add the absence of Senator Mitch McConnell, who has been in the hospital for weeks, and that makes life harder for the Senate GOP.
One of the impacts of Graham’s death and McConnell’s absence is the nomination of Todd Blanche as attorney general.
With all Democrats expected to oppose Blanche, currently the deputy attorney general, Republicans can only afford to lose two of their members, in which case Vice President JD Vance, as president of the Senate, would break a 49–49 tie.
Blanche is scheduled to appear on Wednesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee, where Graham served.
Without the South Carolina senator, Republicans have a one-seat majority on the committee.
Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn serve on the committee and have been on the fence about the pick.
Another agenda item affected by Graham’s death and McConnell’s absence is the National Defense Authorization Act, an annual must-pass bill for the Department of War.
The Senate is looking to advance the $1.15 trillion NDAA this week, but Democrats appear not to be on board amid the renewed conflict with Iran.
Without Graham and McConnell, Senate Republicans might also have trouble passing a third reconciliation bill.
House Speaker Mike Johnson is looking to pass such a bill, which would bypass the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster threshold.
What would be in a package is to be determined, but it could include the SAVE America Act, a bill that would require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections.
President Donald Trump has called for Congress to pass a third reconciliation bill that includes $350 billion in defense spending and the SAVE America Act.
Additionally, there is a bill to enact sanctions on Russia that Graham pushed through.
Graham was close to Trump and acted as a bridge between White House and the Senate GOP. This connection was crucial as there has been a rift between Trump and Senate Republicans.
Trump cited Graham standing up for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearing when Kavanaugh was accused of sexual misconduct during his high school days.
Kavanaugh denied the allegations.
Finally, there is the question of who will take over Graham’s committee assignments.
Graham was chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. Senator Ron Johnson, who is the second-most senior Republican on the committee, is ready to serve as chairman, his spokesperson told The Epoch Times.
“Senator Johnson is prepared to serve as budget chair when announced,” Johnson’s communications director, Grace Carnathan, told The Epoch Times.
Graham was on the Senate Judiciary Committee, where he was chairman between 2019 and 2021.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to her brother’s seat.
South Carolina will hold a special primary in August to determine the GOP nominee to succeed Graham on the ballot to take on Democrat Annie Andrews.
—Jackson Richman
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