Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) delivered a tribute to the late Senator Lindsey Graham during a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday [1].
The memorial marks the death of a long-standing figure in the Senate, reflecting the personal and political impact Graham had on his colleagues and the legislative process.
Thune spoke before a gathering of lawmakers and staff to remember the South Carolina senator, who died earlier this Tuesday, July 28, 2026 [1]. The event took place in the Rotunda, where Graham's casket lay in state to allow peers, and the public to pay their respects [2].
During his remarks, Thune emphasized the void left by the senator's death. "I feel his absence every day," Thune said [3].
The ceremony served as a formal recognition of Graham's career in the U.S. Senate. Colleagues described him as an "American original" while reflecting on his tenure in Washington [3].
Thune's tribute was part of a series of memorials held throughout the day. The gathering focused on Graham's contributions to the government, and his relationships with fellow legislators [1, 2].
“"I feel his absence every day"”
The honoring of Senator Graham in the Capitol Rotunda is a rare distinction reserved for figures of significant national importance. This gesture underscores Graham's influence within the Republican party and his role as a central figure in the Senate's institutional memory.
