One of Sen. Lindsey Graham’s final priorities before his unexpected death may still become law, according to Senate Majority Leader John Thune.The Republican leader said Monday that passing a bipartisan sanctions package targeting Russia would not only advance U.S. policy toward Ukraine but also serve as a lasting tribute to Graham’s decades of work on national security.
Thune, R-S.D., said he remains optimistic that the Senate can pass the sweeping Russia sanctions legislation Graham championed before his death, calling it a fitting way to honor the late South Carolina senator’s legacy.
Graham died Saturday at the age of 71. According to a statement released by his office, the preliminary cause of death was an acute aortic dissection caused by arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
On Monday, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Graham’s younger sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to temporarily fill the Senate seat until voters elect a successor in November.
Graham had spent much of his final months urging Congress to impose tougher economic sanctions on Russia in response to its ongoing war against Ukraine.
Just one day before his death, Graham met in Kyiv with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reaffirming his support for continued U.S. assistance and increased pressure on Moscow.
Following news of Graham’s death, Zelenskyy said he was “deeply saddened” and praised the senator as one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters in Washington.
Appearing Monday on CNN, Thune told anchor Dana Bash that Graham’s sanctions bill remains a priority for Senate leadership.
When asked whether the legislation would still receive a vote, Thune said he was hopeful.
“I certainly hope that we can get there to do that,” Thune said.
He explained that the White House had worked closely with Graham on the proposal and noted that Democrats had also expressed support for the legislation.
According to Thune, the measure could ultimately receive between 80 and 90 votes in the Senate if lawmakers can agree on the final language.
“Lindsey had been working that issue for a long time,” Thune said.
“It’s one of those things he was very passionate about. He wants to see a free and independent Ukraine, as all of us do.”
Thune also described economic sanctions as one of the most important foreign policy tools available to the United States.
“He was a big believer that economic sanctions are a huge tool for the president and his administration, for us to achieve that outcome,” Thune said.
The Senate majority leader suggested the sanctions package had become Graham’s top legislative priority during his final days.
“This sanctions bill was probably, in his last days, the thing that he cared the most about, in terms of an accomplishment,” Thune said.
“So I’m hopeful we can get that done. It’s something we’ve been talking about for a long time.”
Thune concluded by saying passage of the legislation would become a lasting part of Graham’s legacy.
“It would certainly be an incredible legacy for him if, in fact, we could find a path forward,” he said.
“It’ll take Democrats and Republicans here in the Senate to do that. But I’m hopeful we can make that happen.”
Although the legislation has broad bipartisan support, senators have not yet announced when it could receive a floor vote.
If approved, the bill would represent one of the final policy victories tied directly to Graham’s decades-long focus on American national security and his unwavering support for Ukraine following Russia’s 2022 invasion, Mediaite reported.
Whether Congress ultimately advances the legislation may now depend not only on political negotiations, but also on lawmakers’ desire to complete what many of Graham’s colleagues have described as his final major legislative mission.