Rep. Zach Nunn, speaking Sunday on Newsmax, urged Congress to carry forward Sen. Lindsey Graham's work on Russia sanctions, saying the late South Carolina senator's efforts should continue despite his sudden death.
The Iowa Republican told Newsmax's "Sunday Report" that Graham, who died Saturday night after what was described as a brief and sudden illness, left behind a legacy of military service, bipartisan leadership, and a commitment to strengthening American national security.
"I want to first of all express my condolences, my heartfelt sadness," Nunn said. "South Carolina has lost not only a lion on the field, but one of the guys who could be disagreeable without being disagreeable to another person."
Nunn, an Air Force veteran like Graham, praised the senator's military service and recalled that Graham continued serving in the Air Force Reserve while representing South Carolina in Congress.
"We're both combat veterans who served in the Air Force," Nunn said. "It's his legacy of being just a good man, a statesman more than a politician."
Nunn said Graham's recent trip to Ukraine underscored his commitment to confronting Russian aggression and advancing legislation aimed at pressuring Moscow.
"He was preparing to introduce on the Senate side a sanctions package against Russia," Nunn said.
Nunn said Graham had worked closely with the Trump administration to build support for the proposal after returning from Ukraine.
"He was able to bring the president on board," Nunn said.
The Iowa Republican argued that Congress now has a responsibility to finish Graham's work.
"I think this is one of those legacy items that we can continue to push forward, even in Graham's death," Nunn said. "Now, it's up to Congress to work with the president to get things like the PEACE Act and sanctions done."
Nunn said Graham's ability to bridge differences while remaining committed to conservative principles made him difficult to replace.
"He was able to bring lots of Republicans from all parts of the party together," Nunn said.
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