Republican leader SOBS during dramatic final tribute for Lindsey Graham

By VICTORIA CHURCHILL, US POLITICAL REPORTER Published: 22:47, 13 July 2026 | Updated: 22:58, 13 July 2026 Former South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham's colleagues paid tribute to him Monday afternoon on Capitol Hill after his sudden death over the weekend. The longtime senator and close Donald Trump ally unexpectedly passed away on Saturday night due to a 'sudden' heart complication, per statements issued by his office.  US Senate Majority Leader John Thune shed tears during his speech on the Senate floor commemorating Graham's legacy. Choking up during his address, Thune noted, 'We will laugh together again,' and also shared that he 'will miss Lindsey's friendship more than [he] can say.' Following existing Senate protocol, Graham's desk on the Senate floor was covered in black cloth and topped with a vase of white roses as lawmakers returned to Washington after a two-week recess.  Graham's seat will be filled on an interim basis by his sister, Darline Graham Nordone, until the end of his term. Nordone was tapped by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster on Monday afternoon as the short-term replacement, and the special Republican primary election to choose the nominee to compete for the seat for a full six-year term will take place on August 11th. Graham's colleagues appear ready to welcome Nordone into their ranks. Senate Majority Leader John Thune walks to the Senate Chamber in the Capitol Building on July 13, 2026 in Washington, DC. Thune spoke on the recent death of Lindsey Graham on the floor on Monday  Lindsey Graham answered questions from the media near an exhibition of damaged Russian vehicles in central Kyiv, on July 10, 2026 Sticky notes and flowers left outside the office of the late U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) at Russell Senate Office Building on July 13, 2026 in Washington, DC. Graham died on the evening of July 11th at the age of 71 after reportedly a 'brief and sudden illness' South Carolina Senator Tim Scott was on stage with McMaster and Nordone in Columbia as she was tapped as his pick. In a statement issued after President Donald Trump gave Nordone his nod, Scott shared that he came to the conclusion 'after speaking with Darline, there is no one better who understands Lindsey's love for family, our state, and our country.' Alabama Senator Katie Britt, another close Graham ally, shared that 'there is no one more fitting to finish Lindsey's term than Darline, whom he loved dearly and who understands the needs of South Carolinians so deeply.' 'I stand ready to welcome Darline to the Senate and work alongside her to continue the work of my dear friend. There is no doubt that Lindsey will be smiling down from above as she is sworn in to fight for the state and nation to which he dedicated his life and had his unwavering commitment,' Britt added. The vacancy for South Carolina's Senate seat was created by Graham's unexpected death, which was announced just after 2am Eastern time Sunday morning. Newly appointed US interim Senator, Darline Graham Nordone, with South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, right, and Senator Time Scott (R-SC), left, speaks to members of the press after being appointed of to fill the vacancy created by the passing of her brother, US Senator Lindsey Graham, at the statehouse Monday, July 13, 2026, in Columbia, South Carolina  A woman draped in a Ukrainian flag with the state coat of arms writes in the condolences book for late US Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) outside his office on Capitol Hill in Washington The US flag flies at half-staff at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, July 13, 2026, after the sudden death of prominent Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina Per a statement issued by his office just before 5pm that day, 'aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease,' was the cause of death. 'The death certificate will be PENDING until all the toxicological and microscopic testing are finalized, and at that point the death certificate will be updated to reflect the cause of death and appropriately classify the manner of death,' Graham's spokesman added. A 911 call for 'cardiac arrest' was placed from Graham's residence around 8.30pm on Saturday evening. FBI agents have been spotted outside of Graham's Washington, DC residence in the days following his death, and director Kash Patel noted on Sunday that the agency was 'assisting local authorities and has made every necessary resource available.' Graham was a vocal supporter of US involvement in conflicts abroad, including both the Russia-Ukraine war and the Iran clashes.