Teary-eyed lawmakers give Lindsey Graham somber final salute

Lawmakers wiped away tears in the US Capitol Rotunda as Republicans and Democrats alike paid homage to the late Senator Lindsey Graham on Tuesday.

The South Carolina Republican died unexpectedly at the age of 71 earlier this month.

On Tuesday, he lay in honor for a tribute where his casket was taken and placed in the US Capitol Rotunda for a brief ceremonial viewing. This differs from ‘lying in state,’ primarily in that it honors individuals who did not hold the most senior major government or military office.

His sister, Darline Graham Nordone, who took over his Senate seat, fought back tears during the extremely emotional ceremony alongside her husband and children. And GOP Leader John Thune broke down at the end of his eulogy, joining a slew of openly weeping lawmakers from both sides of the aisle.

Vice President JD Vance brought a light-hearted tone to his remarks at the ceremony, recalling a time when Lindsey helped him raise money for his Senate campaign by sharing his website link in a TV segment.

‘In a four or five-minute TV appearance, Lindsey Graham raised us over $100,000, and that campaign stop was a critical part of me getting elected to the United States Senate, and of course, going on this incredible journey, that was who Lindsey Graham was,’ Vance remarked.

On a more serious note, Vance said, ‘I remember Lindsey Graham as a man who loved people, and because he loved people, he was willing to reason with them, to respect them, and ultimately to persuade them.’

Thune said during his remarks: ‘It’s hard to think that there will be no more Senate dinners with Lindsey, that he won’t be dropping by my office to discuss some piece of legislation, or make laugh with his witty commentary.’ 

‘But I cling to the same faith that Lindsey had, to the sure and certain hope of the resurrection and the knowledge that death is not the end. I am the resurrection, the life, says the Lord. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die, and whoever lives by believing in me will never die,’ Thune added.

Vice President JD Vance speaks during a memorial tribute for the late US Senator Lindsey Graham in the Rotunda of the US Capitol on Tuesday in Washington, DC

An Armed Forces Body Bearer team carries the late senator’s casket ahead of a Congressional tribute in the Rotunda of the US Capitol on Tuesday

Senator Darline Graham Nordone, Lindsey’s sister, and her husband, Larry Nordone, watch as the casket arrives at the Rotunda of the US Capitol on Tuesday

Members of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet who were present at the Capitol on Tuesday included EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, US Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, and US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. 

Democrats of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which Graham formerly chaired, were also spotted by the Daily Mail looking teary-eyed. Senator John Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat who typically shows up to the Capitol in a hoodie and shorts, donned a suit for Tuesday’s ceremony.

Darline was appointed by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster to fill her late brother’s seat and finish out his term, which expires in January. 

The senator has filed to seek election for the full term. 

Darline pays tribute to her brother’s casket in the Rotunda of the US Capitol

Senator John Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat, dressed up for the occasion, donning a suit as opposed to his typical hoodie and shorts

Darline wipes away a tear alongside her husband Larry at the congressional tribute

From left, Cabinet members Kelly Loeffler, Russell Vought, Lee Zeldin, Markwayne Mullin, Chris Wright, Keith Sonderling, and Todd Blanche pay their tributes to Lindsey at the Capitol

Terrifying truth about ‘exploding heart’ condition that killed Lindsey Graham

A special primary election for the office will be held on August 11. That contest will advance to a runoff on August 25 if no single candidate wins a majority of votes.

Lindsey’s death was announced just after 2am Eastern time on July 12.

Aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease was the cause of death, according to a statement issued by his office at 5pm.

‘The death certificate will be PENDING until all the toxicological and microscopic testing are finalized, and at that point the death certificate will be updated to reflect the cause of death and appropriately classify the manner of death,’ the spokesman added at the time.

A 911 call for ‘cardiac arrest’ was placed from Graham’s residence around 8.30pm on July 11.