Senator Lindsey Graham has passed away, Oregon Senator Merkley mourns death in statement

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, released a statement Sunday following the death of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, who died Saturday after what his office described as a “brief and sudden illness.” He was 71.

Graham represented South Carolina in the U.S. Senate since 2003 and was serving as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. A prominent voice on national security and foreign policy, he was a longtime advocate for military support for Ukraine and one of President Donald Trump’s closest allies in Congress in recent years.

Merkley, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Budget Committee, said he was “shocked” by the news and reflected on the bipartisan relationship they developed during their years serving together.

“I am shocked to hear of the sudden passing of Senator Graham. We shared a strong interest in defending Ukraine and, to the surprise of many, in climate change. We got to know each other as we served together on three committees, including the Budget Committee, where he served as Chair and I serve as the lead Democrat. Mary and I are keeping Senator Graham’s family and staff in our thoughts during this difficult time,” Merkley said.

According to Graham’s office, the senator died after returning from a congressional trip to Ukraine. No additional details about the cause of his illness have been released. Under South Carolina law, Gov. Henry McMaster will appoint an interim senator until a successor is chosen.