In the Senate, there’s a black veil covering a desk.On top there’s a bowl of striking white roses.
That’s where Sen.Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., used to sit.Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., pointed to that desk during an emotional tribute to the late Senator on Monday.
Graham was a confidant, trusted advisor and friend to Thune.And through tears, he set about remembering the lawmaker who spent 30 years in Washington, D.C., making a mark on his state and country."It's difficult to believe that Lindsey Graham is no longer here with us," Thune said.
"That we won't run into him at a meeting today or share a joke with him at this afternoon's vote.The halls of the Senate already feel empty without him.
And I know I'm not alone in that feeling."GRAHAM'S DEATH IGNITES GOP SCRAMBLE FOR SENATE SEAT AS TRUMP HINTS HE ALREADY HAS A FAVORITESenate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., remembered the late Sen.Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., in an emotional tribute on the Senate floor Monday evening.
(Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)As Thune spoke about Graham, the late lawmaker’s staff sat in the Senate chamber as tears filled the room.And since Thune became the leader of the Senate GOP, you would oftentime see Graham enter his office just off the Senate floor.He was there to talk down Republican rebels who threatened to sink President Donald Trump’s "big, beautiful bill," and once earlier this year stormed into Thune’s office declaring his resistance to a deal struck by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and the president to avert a government shutdown.But he was there, and Thune noted that "Lindsey was fearless in his commitment to the causes that he espoused."SENATE RETURNS TO PACKED AGENDA AFTER GRAHAM'S DEATH SHRINKS GOP MARGIN"It didn't matter to him whether he would catch flak on an issue," Thune said.
"He was undaunted by the politics if he believed he was right on the principle.""Senator.Warrior.
Patriot.Statesman," Thune continued.
"Words that will...