Senate Majority Leader John Thune said one of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham’s final legislative priorities could soon move forward, expressing confidence that a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill still has a realistic chance of becoming law. Thune also suggested that passing the legislation would stand as a lasting tribute to Graham’s decades of work on national security and foreign policy.
Speaking earlier this month, Thune said he remains hopeful the Senate will approve the sweeping sanctions package that Graham championed before his death. The South Carolina senator died Saturday at the age of 71. According to a statement from his office, the preliminary cause of death was an acute aortic dissection caused by arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
South Carolina officials moved quickly to fill the vacancy. On Monday, Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Graham’s younger sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to temporarily serve in the Senate until voters choose a permanent replacement in a November election.
