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Congressional Daily Record
This section covers nominations, confirmations, or other executive branch business. It mentions members such as Thomas Bryant Cotton.
Official title: Remembering Lindsey Graham (Executive Session)
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July 14, 2026
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Download official Senate Record PDFReturn to issue contextMr. COTTON. Mr. President, Lindsey Graham was a self-made American original. Born in Central, SC, Lindsey grew up in a room behind his parents' bar and pool hall, where he worked to help the family make ends meet and earned the nickname “Stinkball” from its patrons because of his sense of humor and his irrepressible nature and his rascal streak, as he called it.
I saw that in my first experience with Lindsey Graham. I traveled with him and Senator McCain to the Munich Security Conference in 2013 as a brandnew Congressman. That evening, as I was meeting some of the other Senators on the delegation—Senator Ayotte and Senator Corker— Lindsey came up to me and slapped me on the back and asked me who the hell I was. I introduced myself, and I told him a little bit about my story, my service in the Army before I was elected to the House. He told me I was great; I needed to run for the Senate; we had to win the Senate seat in Arkansas.
the commander of our forces in Europe, and Lindsey stumbled in at about 8:55. Senator McCain hailed the arrival of his illegitimate son, and then we had a coffee break 5 minutes later, when Lindsey came over, slapped me on the back, and said: You were great. We have got to have you run for Senate. Now, what was your name again?
That was Lindsey, self-described rascal that he was. I often joked about it—and with him. You never knew quite what Lindsey was up to, but it probably wasn't nothing.
He became the first member of his family to attend college. After suddenly and unexpectedly losing both parents while attending the University of South Carolina, he stepped in to raise his beloved younger sister Darline. But even in the face of tragedy, Lindsey's grit, determination, and faith enabled him to finish college, earn a law degree, serve in the Air Force, and eventually make his way here to the U.S. Congress.
Congressman from South Carolina's Third Congressional District since 1877, he brought with him a sense of duty and responsibility, a love for liberty, and a resolute commitment to America's national security.
two decades and became the first person in South Carolina history to earn more than 1 million votes in a general election. Needless to say, South Carolinians loved him, and it is not hard to see why.
South Carolinians, he defended America's founding principles, and he supported the men and women of our military.
the confirmation of a Supreme Court Justice and more than 200 Federal judges committed to upholding the rule of law as our Founders intended.
and he believed that the United States is the greatest force for freedom that mankind has ever known. Through every bill he introduced, every speech he gave, every statement he made, Lindsey ensured our allies knew our word was good and our enemies feared our resolve. If you loved America, Lindsey loved you. If you fought for freedom, Lindsey would fight for you.
our history and our future. That above all is a testament to his strength of character. Lindsey's unwavering love for our Lord, devotion to our country, and commitment to his family defined his entire life. He was an example of what makes America exceptional.
colleague, and an irreplaceable friend, his memory and his legacy will never be forgotten. I extend my deepest prayers, thoughts, and condolences to Darline, Lindsey's family, Lindsey's staff, his friends, and his loved ones.
Graham for his lifetime of service, patriotism, and courageous leadership.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Iowa.
Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor my dear friend and colleague Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.
U.S. Air Force, serving 33 years between the Air Force, the South Carolina Air National Guard, and the Air Force Reserve. That service and his upbringing in the back of his parents' South Carolina bar shaped everything about how he approached his work here in the Senate. He understood, in a way too few in Washington, DC, do, what it costs to defend freedom. He was one of the loudest, most persistent voices this institution has seen on the importance of American leadership in this world.
supporters. I am so grateful for his mentorship and his friendship throughout the years. Lindsey was really dear to my family. My mother's birthday was just a few days before Lindsey's, and through the years, he would call her on her birthday and wish her the happiest of birthdays. As my daughter entered the U.S. Army, he would call her and just give her words of encouragement—in the hilarious way that only Lindsey Graham could.
He was such a good and decent man.
One thing we all knew about Lindsey was his great sense of humor. I will never forget the gift he gave me after I won Iowa's Senate seat. In fact, I may be the only Senator in history to be handed a mounted castration clamp with a plaque engraved “Make `Em Squeal, Joni!” just off the floor of this Chamber, courtesy of Lindsey Graham. And I think he is probably still laughing about that one.
Lindsey, as many of us did, and we were talking about this year's race because he was running for another term in the Senate. And my mother, again, being very close to Lindsey and his No. 1 fan in Iowa—in fact, she had a screen saver on her computer. It was her and Lindsey Graham. If you asked my mother who her favorite Senator was, it wouldn't be Senator Chuck Grassley or even her own daughter; it would be Senator Lindsey Graham.
So he was like: Give me your phone.
He said: Let's shoot a video for your mom.
video. And it went something like this: Marilyn, we love you. We love Joni. I know times are hard, but send money anyway. Lindseygraham.com.
He did that all the time, and he was always so funny. And I can't tell you how many times I have watched that video, over and over again, and just laughed.
but behind the jokes was one of the most serious and effective legislators this body has ever known. He didn't care whose name was on a bill if the policy was right. He brokered friendships and alliances that many in this town said were no longer possible. He fought hard, and then he would sit down and crack a joke with the people that he had just been arguing with.
All of us here on this floor know that Lindsey was always moving. The man never stood still. He was always working the phones—phone call after phone call—whether it was President Trump or my mom back in Iowa. He was always certain that presence was power.
I had the privilege of traveling many times over with Lindsey. The very first codel, which is a congressional delegation trip, that I took in the U.S. Senate was with Lindsey. It was to the Munich Security Conference in Germany. The other Senators on that trip were former Senator Joe Lieberman, a dear friend of his; Senator John McCain, who was his deepest and truest friend; and Senator Kelly Ayotte. We had a wonderful trip together. And it was such a great experience for me to see him on the world stage, easily moving from conversation to conversation with some of the world's most important and powerful leaders, and to see how much they deeply respected Senator Graham.
States. Just days ago, Lindsey was in Ukraine meeting with President Zelenskyy and standing with a nation fighting for its survival because he believed at his core that American leadership was the difference between peace and oppression.
Lindsey Graham was tough, he was funny, and he loved this country.
especially, to his sister Darline and all who loved him, we are all mourning together. As a Christian like Lindsey, I know God will bring comfort where there is fear, strength where there is shock, and hope where there is loss.
I yield the floor.