Congress
Thune announces Rotunda tribute for Lindsey Graham
The late Sen. Lindsey Graham will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda next Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced in a statement.
Graham’s funeral, arranged by his sister, Sen. Darline Graham, will include an invite-only ceremony at the Washington National Cathedral to be attended by President Donald Trump.
Darline Graham (R-S.C.) was appointed by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster earlier this month to serve out the remainder of her brother’s term. She announced plans to run for a full six-year term in the seat on Monday.
Lindsey Graham died suddenly earlier this month from what his office later said was an “aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.” A wave of tributes — and speculation over who would run to replace the five-term senator — kicked off almost immediately.
“As we say our final goodbyes, it seems fitting for his friends and colleagues to give back to him through this special Capitol honor,” Thune (R-S.D.) said in a statement.
Darline Graham is endorsed by the president in her bid to win a full term in the Senate but will nonetheless face off against a slate of Republicans who have spent far more time in the public eye, including South Carolina GOP Reps. Russell Fry and Ralph Norman.
Lindsey Graham’s remains will be flown back to South Carolina after the National Cathedral service, with a service planned at the First Baptist Church of Columbia for the following day.
“I am grateful to all those who have come together to help honor and remember Lindsey,” Darline Graham said in a statement. “I would like to extend my sincere thanks to President Trump and his team, Washington National Cathedral, Senate leadership, First Baptist Church of Columbia and the Senate Sergeant at Arms for going above and beyond to ensure these will be honorable tributes to Lindsey.”