Graham’s death throws Washington policy into disarray

The death of Sen. Lindsey Graham would disrupt Washington’s policy efforts as Congress loses one of its top White House informants and coalition builders.

Graham R.S.C., who has died at age 71, was a titan in the Senate whose close relationship with President Donald Trump helped the Senate broker numerous deals and secure aid to allies such as Ukraine. As chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Graham was integral to the passage of President Trump’s flagship reconciliation tax and spending bill, known as the “big, beautiful bill.”

He also served on the Appropriations Committee, the Judiciary Committee, and the Environment and Public Works Committee and was known for working across the aisle on policy issues.

Graham’s death comes as the Senate is working to advance many of President Trump’s priorities ahead of the tough midterm elections in November, an effort that is likely to be complicated by his death. The long list of unfinished business includes President Trump’s sought-after voter ID bill, the SAVE America Act. A third reconciliation bill to address affordability and replenish the military. and the endorsement of attorney general candidate Todd Blanche.

Mr. Graham has been an ardent supporter of the SAVE America Act, President Trump’s laundry list of bills that would require voter ID and proof of citizenship to vote, and several other White House priorities. President Trump has focused almost exclusively on this bill, even though it is highly likely to pass.

President Trump appeared on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday and lamented that without Graham’s support, passing the SAVE America Act will be even more difficult.

“Let me tell you this is a huge blow to the Save America Act,” President Trump said. “He was pushing the SAVE America Act like crazy.”

It is extremely difficult to see whether the SAVE America Act, especially the bill being pushed by President Trump, will pass with or without Graham. Given strong Democratic opposition, it fell far short of the 60 votes needed to overcome the Senate filibuster.

But Graham’s death will make it even more difficult for the Senate to convey the extremely high probability of passing the SAVE America Act. President Trump said he spoke with Graham about the bill Saturday night.

“He called me and told me he was ready for the Save America Act,” Trump said. “He literally called me about the ‘American Rescue Act.’

Mr. Graham would have been essential to any additional reconciliation bill that Republicans hope to pass by the end of this year. The Budget Committee will lead the drafting of the reconciliation bill, which is budget-focused and must comply with the Byrd Rule, an arcane Senate process that allows the Senate to bypass the 60-vote filibuster.

Congress has already passed two reconciliation bills this year, including The Big and Beautiful and a bill to provide funding to immigration enforcement agencies in the wake of the shooting deaths of two Americans by federal agents earlier this year.

The third package, not yet fully fleshed out and largely in flux, was expected to include military spending to replenish stockpiles depleted by the war with Iran, affordability issues and fraud.

Mr. Graham’s death threw all of his plans for the bill into disarray and left the Budget Committee without a chairman.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, President Trump’s nominee for attorney general, faces new hurdles in winning Senate confirmation.

Graham served on the Judiciary Committee and was scheduled to be the next to receive the gavel when Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa)’s term ends. The committee includes 12 Republicans and 10 Democrats, and if the Democrats leave the party with full opposition, it will lead to a stalemate. Mr. Graham’s death brings the number to 11 Republicans and 10 Democrats.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R.N.C.), who is retiring at the end of his term and is a member of the Judiciary Committee, is currently undecided on whether to nominate Branch, but he has said he has favorable views toward Branch and has met with Trump’s former personal lawyer. If Mr. Tillis were to leave the party now, along with all Democrats, Mr. Blanche’s nomination would fail 11-10.

Mr. Graham is one of Ukraine’s most ardent supporters of repelling the Russian invasion that began in 2021. He has played a key role in steering funds through Congress and enabling President Trump to help support Ukraine.

The senator had just returned from Ukraine shortly before his death.

Trump, who took office vowing to end the war in Ukraine, was significantly more hostile toward Ukraine than his predecessor, former President Joe Biden. In the first days of his second term, Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and publicly criticized him. President Trump has also repeatedly threatened to cut off aid to Ukraine.

But after significant lobbying from Mr. Graham, the president eventually became willing to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia. President Trump recently said he would give Ukraine permission to manufacture the Patriot Missile Interceptor System, a long-range defense system that Ukraine has long sought.

On Friday, Graham announced that he and several other senators had reached an agreement with the White House to move forward with the latest sanctions package targeting Russia.

“As Russia intensifies its massacres of civilians, it is imperative that the legislative and executive branches work together to create the means to impose higher prices on those who purchase Russian oil and gas and stimulate President Putin’s war machine,” the senators said.