Sen. Lindsey Graham Dies at 71; Senate Faces Tight Schedule on Defense Bill and Sanctions Package

Sen. Lindsey Graham died Saturday evening at age 71. The South Carolina Republican chaired the Senate Budget Committee and had led efforts on Russia sanctions and prior reconciliation measures. Congress returns to Washington on Monday with limited time before a five-week House recess.

The House has eight remaining session days, while the Senate plans to stay through the first week of August. President Trump has pressed for passage of the SAVE America Act, a voting regulations measure that lacks sufficient GOP support in the Senate.

House Speaker Mike Johnson proposed merging the SAVE America Act with the National Defense Authorization Act to satisfy Republican hardliners led by Rep.

Anna Paulina Luna, who blocked most legislation late last month. The hardliners rejected the plan. President Trump called for a budget reconciliation bill that would include $350 billion in defense funding and the SAVE America Act, stating on Truth Social last week that it must be leadership's Number One Priority.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Sen. Susan Collins expressed skepticism about another reconciliation bill given tight margins, which narrowed further with Graham's death and the prolonged absence of Sen. Mitch McConnell for health reasons.

Vice President JD Vance had a scheduling conflict and will not attend the House GOP conference meeting on Tuesday. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is scheduled to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. The Senate Intelligence Committee will hold a confirmation hearing the same day for Jay Clayton to be director of national intelligence.

Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act expired on June 12; lawmakers reached a bipartisan deal to extend it for three years, though President Trump linked renewal to the SAVE America Act. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated in a Monday letter that Republicans are advancing the NDAA while refusing to negotiate on the president's budget request. Sen.