Teary-eyed lawmakers give Lindsey Graham somber final salute at the Capitol... as JD Vance lightens mood with jest

By VICTORIA CHURCHILL, US POLITICAL REPORTER and BREANNE DEPPISCH, US SENIOR POLITICAL REPORTER Published: 15:50, 28 July 2026 | Updated: 15:59, 28 July 2026 Lawmakers wiped away tears in the US Capitol Rotunda as Republicans and Democrats alike paid homage to the late Senator Lindsey Graham on Tuesday morning. Graham, a South Carolina Republican, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 71 earlier this month. On Tuesday, he lay in honor for a tribute where his casket was taken and placed in the US Capitol Rotunda for a ceremonial viewing. The honor differs from 'lying in state' primarily in that it honors individuals who did not hold the most senior major government or military office.    Vice President JD Vance brought a light-hearted tone to his remarks at Tuesday's ceremony, recalling a time when Graham helped him raise money for his Senate campaign, sharing his website link in a TV segment. 'In a four or five-minute TV appearance, Lindsey Graham raised us over $100,000, and that campaign stop was a critical part of me getting elected to the United States Senate, and of course, going on this incredible journey, that was who Lindsey Graham was,' Vance remarked. On a more serious note, Vance said, 'I remember Lindsey Graham as a man who loved people, and because he loved people, he was willing to reason with them, to respect them, and ultimately to persuade them.' Senate Majority Leader John Thune shared during his remarks that, 'it's hard to think that there will be no more Senate dinners with Lindsey, that he won't be dropping by my office to discuss some piece of legislation, or make laugh with his witty commentary.'  'But I cling to the same faith that Lindsey had, to the sure and certain hope of the resurrection and the knowledge that death is not the end. I am the resurrection, the life, says the Lord. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die, and whoever lives by believing in me will never die,' Thune added Vice President JD Vance speaks during a memorial tribute for the late US Senator Lindsey Graham in the Rotunda of the US Capitol on July 28, 2026 in Washington, DC An Armed Forces Body Bearer Team moves the casket of Senator Lindsey Graham upon arrival for a Congressional tribute in the Rotunda of the US Capitol, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Washington Senator Darline Graham, Lindsey's sister, and her husband Larry Nordone watch as an Armed Forces Body Bearer Team moves the casket of Senator  Lindsey Graham, upon arrival for a Congressional tribute in the Rotunda of the US Capitol, Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Washington Graham's unexpected death was announced just after 2am Eastern time on July 12th. 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 at the time. A 911 call for 'cardiac arrest' was placed from Graham's residence around 8.30pm on July 11th.