Sen. Lindsey Graham's unexpected death leaves South Carolina and the GOP with "some big shoes to fill," Rep. John McGuire, R-Va., told Newsmax on Monday.
McGuire, speaking on "Wake Up America Early" with host Alex Kraemer, remembered Graham as a dedicated public servant whose relationships across Capitol Hill and deep knowledge of national security issues made him one of the Senate’s most influential Republicans.
Graham's office said Sunday that the South Carolina Republican died after a "brief and sudden illness."
Preliminary examination findings indicated that the cause was an aortic dissection resulting from arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Calling the news “heartbreaking,” McGuire said he had seen the South Carolina senator regularly despite serving in opposite chambers of Congress.
"In fact, most recently, my wife and I sat with him at the UFC fight at the White House," McGuire said. "Every time we spoke with him, he had a funny comment or some insight into what was going on in the Middle East or Ukraine. I think he’s got some big shoes to fill."
McGuire praised Graham’s ability to work with lawmakers from both parties, saying the senator was "very instrumental" in advancing legislation while remaining committed to U.S. national security interests.
He also highlighted Graham’s personal story, noting that the senator helped raise his younger sister after the deaths of their parents and later served as an Air Force colonel before embarking on a long career in public office.
"A lifetime of service," McGuire said. "He’s going to be missed."
McGuire said fellow Republicans have been sharing similar memories, pointing to comments from Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., about Graham’s close friendships and extensive knowledge of Senate affairs.
"He ate, breathed and slept the U.S. Senate and our country,” McGuire said. “He loved our country."
Graham's death also leaves Republicans with a narrower Senate majority at a time when Congress faces several high-profile legislative battles, including government funding measures and the annual National Defense Authorization Act.
McGuire said the Senate also faces pressure to advance the SAVE America Act backed by President Donald Trump and many congressional Republicans.
"There’s a lot at stake," he said. "Our country has really turned the ship around. President Trump, under his leadership, is really bringing prosperity back to our country."
The Virginia Republican said he expects South Carolina officials to handle the process of selecting Graham’s temporary replacement.
"South Carolina knows what they’re doing," McGuire said. "I think we’ll leave it up to the people in South Carolina."
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