Blog
Oct 01 2024
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement urging Congress to reconvene in order to pass a supplemental aid package to fund Hurricane Helene recovery efforts and provide missile defense assistance to Israel in the wake of Iran’s large-scale attack.
“It is imperative that Congress reconvene to pass a supplemental aid package for the damage done to the Southeast by Hurricane Helene and also to provide missile defense assistance to Israel, which is under attack from the Iranian regime.
“We need to help our people at home and stand with our allies abroad. I want the people affected by this terrible storm to see speedy federal relief, and I want Iran to see great resolve when it comes to Congress’ willingness to assist Israel. I am reaching out to Republican and Democratic colleagues to put a package together as soon as possible.”
####
Oct 01 2024
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement following Iran’s large-scale missile attack on Israel.
“This is a moment of choosing for the free world regarding Iran. The Ayatollah and Iranian regime are religious Nazis who want to destroy the state of Israel – their words, not mine.
“They want to purify Islam and attack the United States – again, their words, not mine.
“This missile attack against Israel should be the breaking point and I would urge the Biden Administration to coordinate an overwhelming response with Israel, starting with Iran’s ability to refine oil.
“These oil refineries need to be hit and hit hard because that is the source of cash for the regime to perpetrate their terror.
“My prayers are with the people of Israel, and may God continue to bless Israel.”
####
Sep 27 2024
Sep 27 2024
Sep 26 2024
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today received an “A+” rating from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). Graham was one of only eight senators named to NSSF’s inaugural Congressional Dean’s List, which recognizes members of Congress who have gone above and beyond to protect and preserve the Second Amendment in the 118th Congress.
“I am honored to be recognized by NSSF today. It is now more important than ever that we stand up for our right to bear arms, promote responsible gun ownership, and protect America’s licensed gun dealers. I will always fight to preserve the Second Amendment,” said Senator Graham.
“The 2024 NSSF Congressional Report Card is a comprehensive analysis of our elected representatives’ positions on firearm and ammunition industry priorities in the 118th Congress. The Report Card’s grades are based on key votes, co-sponsorships, committee activity, floor speeches, and other official actions by Senators and Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Members of our industry are grateful to have so many strong allies in the Halls of Congress,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President for Government & Public Affairs and General Counsel. “NSSF is proud to especially recognize Senator Graham as a member of the new NSSF Congressional Dean’s List for his exemplary leadership in supporting the firearm and ammunition industry and the nearly 400,000 hardworking Americans employed in the industry. Making the Dean’s List is special recognition that Senator Graham has gone above and beyond to protect and preserve the Second Amendment rights of his constituents and the industry that makes the exercise of those rights possible. We applaud Senator Graham for his exemplary level of support.”
Senator Graham is the lead sponsor of the Respect for the Second Amendment Act, which seeks to make permanent Second Amendment rights afforded to law abiding Americans, and prevent a future Supreme Court from going back on this decision. Graham also led the introduction of legislation to combat “smash and grab” thefts of federally licensed gun dealers, known as the Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Protection Act of 2023.
Additional information on NSSF’s rating is available HERE.
####
Sep 26 2024
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) introduced a resolution designating October 6 - 12, 2024, as “Religious Education Week” to celebrate and emphasize the importance of religious education and the schools and organizations engaged in religious instruction.
“South Carolina’s children are our greatest resource and future leaders,” said Graham. “I am proud to introduce this resolution to emphasize the importance of continued religious education and the organizations who provide it.”
The resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), Katie Boyd Britt (R-Alabama), Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma), James Risch (R-Idaho), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama), Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), and Todd Young (R-Indiana).
This resolution is also supported by Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty, Coalition for Jewish Values, Foundation for American Christian Education, School Time Bible Ministries, Association of Christian Schools International, Agudath Israel of America, and Catholic Education Partners Inc.
The full text of the resolution is HERE.
#####
Support for Senator Graham’s Religious Education Week resolution:
Grayson Hartgrove, Director of School Time Bible Ministries in Columbia, SC:
“We support and applaud the US Senate effort to pass a US Senate Resolution on Religious Education Week. Parents of public-school students want the option of providing faith-based programming during the public-school day. The legal practice, known as Released Time for Religious Education was started in 1914 by a school superintendent. He knew the importance of parents having options in directing the upbringing of their children. Currently over 13,000 public school students with parental permission in South Carolina leave campus every week for a faith-based class off campus at a church or non-school building. The number of students participating continues to grow as more parents learn of this option.”
Rabbi Lerner, President Emeritus of the Coalition for Jewish Values:
“Judaism places the education of our children at the center of religious practice. We are happy to endorse this resolution, which underscores the intrinsic connection between religious education and the free exercise of religion guaranteed by the Constitution, and celebrates religious schooling as a method of civic and moral development.”
Sep 26 2024
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington, D.C.
“I enjoyed meeting with President Zelensky today. The more pressure put on Putin, the sooner the war ends. If President Biden and Vice President Harris don’t adjust their military strategy in Ukraine, it will be a dire outcome for Ukraine and the world.
“President Zelensky’s number one request was to be able to more effectively use long range weapons to hit key Russian military targets to put pressure on Putin to come to the table. He emphasized that without a change in military strategy, the war gets more difficult.
“If the Biden-Harris Administration continues the policy of holding Ukraine back because they are worried about escalation, the outcome of the war will be placed in jeopardy.
“In order for Ukraine to prevail, President Zelensky must be allowed to execute his plan, which includes hitting legitimate military targets inside Russia that are being used to go after Ukrainian civilians and energy infrastructure.
“It is in America’s interests to ensure Putin does not succeed in dismembering Ukraine because that will unleash China on Taiwan, and Putin will not stop in Ukraine.
“This is a decisive week in the war. President Biden and Vice President Harris need to get it right.”
####
Sep 25 2024
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today introduced a bill that would restrict one of the biggest magnets for illegal immigration into the United States. Graham’s Birthright Citizenship Act of 2024 stops the practice of granting citizenship to both the children of illegal immigrants and the children of non-immigrants in the U.S. on temporary visas.
The exploitation of birthright citizenship is a major pull factor for illegal immigration and a weakness for our national security. The United States is one of only 33 countries in the world with no restrictions on birthright citizenship. In 2018, Senator Graham supported President Trump’s executive order eliminating birthright citizenship for children born to illegal immigrants on American soil.
“It is long overdue for the United States to change its policy on birthright citizenship because it is being abused in so many ways,” said Senator Graham. “One example is birth tourism, where wealthy individuals from China and other nations come to the United States simply to have a child who will be an American citizen. When you look at the magnets that draw people to America, birthright citizenship is one of the largest. It is time for the United States to align itself with the rest of the world and restrict this practice once and for all.”
The Biden-Harris Administration’s catch-and-release policies let migrants come into the U.S. illegally and stay for years, while enjoying many of the benefits of living in America.
- Illegal immigration has skyrocketed under the Biden-Harris Administration.
- In the last 3.5 years, there have been over 8.3 million encounters with illegal aliens at the southern border.
Our adversaries are taking advantage of our laws.
- Recently, two individuals from California were found guilty in a “birth tourism” scheme. Predominantly Chinese clients paid the operators of a “maternity hotel” tens of thousands of dollars to come to the U.S. to give birth. Clients were coached on how to lie during the admissions process.
- A 2022 Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee report found a birthing company catering to the wives of Russian oligarchs, celebrities, athletes, and public figures.
The Birthright Citizenship Act of 2024:
- Specifies who can receive citizenship by virtue of their birth in the United States, including children born to at least one parent who is either:
- A citizen or national of the U.S.,
- A lawful permanent resident of the U.S., or
- An alien performing active service in the armed forces.
- This bill only applies to children born after the date of enactment.
To read the full bill text, click HERE.
#####
Sep 18 2024
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), and 28 of their Republican colleagues issued a joint statement in response to the Palestinian Mission to the United Nations (UN) submitting a disgraceful and flagrant resolution targeting the Jewish State of Israel and its rightful control over its historic homeland. This resolution was submitted ahead of the UN General Assembly.
The Senators wrote, “This proposal introduced by the Palestinian delegation, ahead of the United Nations’ General Assembly, is an absolute disgrace that rewards terrorism. It is a clear insult to the Jewish people and anyone who understands history.”
The Senators continued, “As we approach the one-year anniversary of the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas and affiliated Palestinian terrorist groups against innocent Israeli civilians, which involved murder, mutilation, and sexual violence, the international community must unequivocally unite against this evil, one-sided effort to delegitimize Israel. Instead of proposing biased and counter-productive initiatives, which will do nothing to advance a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians, the international community must focus its energy and resources on ensuring Hamas and other terrorist groups are completely destroyed. We must remain firm to ensure every single hostage held by these terrorists is safely returned to their loved ones.”
In addition to Graham and Rubio, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), Dan Sullivan (R-Arkansas), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), John Kennedy (R- Louisiana), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), Kevin Cramer (R- North Dakota), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), John Thune (R-South Dakota), Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Katie Boyd Britt (R-Alabama).
#####
Sep 11 2024
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) were joined by U.S. Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pennsylvania-01), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio-09), Joe Wilson (R-South Carolina-02) and Mike Quigley (D-Illinois-05) in introducing a bill to endorse the ten-year bilateral security agreement between the United States and Ukraine and affirm the United States’ commitment to the freedom and security of Ukraine, called the Stand With Ukraine Act.
“This legislation supports Ukraine in a variety of ways, sending a clear signal to brave Ukrainian fighters that we stand with them. It also states plainly that we will not give in to Russian aggression,” said Graham. “I was glad to work with Senator Blumenthal on this legislation and I appreciate my colleagues Representatives Fitzpatrick, Kaptur, Wilson and Quigley for leading this effort in the House.”
“We’re sending a message to the world that the United States will stand with Ukraine—that their fight is our fight, and both their freedom and ours are at stake. After my sixth visit to Kyiv and Ukraine’s Kursk invasion, I’m convinced more than ever that we must solidify a strategic partnership with Ukraine and provide Congressional approval of the bilateral security agreement,” said Blumenthal. “Bipartisan support for Ukraine is critical to building on its military successes and maintaining momentum in the fight against Putin’s murderous invasion. The Stand With Ukraine Act gives Ukraine access to the weapons needed to defend itself against Russian atrocities and savagery and solidifies a strategic partnership that will have tremendous economic benefits to the United States.”
“The policy of the United States toward Ukraine must be clear and firm: we will always stand with our friend and ally as they fight against Putin’s unprovoked assault on Ukraine’s sovereignty and liberty,” said Fitzpatrick, Co-Chair of the Ukraine Caucus. “The bipartisan Stand with Ukraine Act will further bolster the security, diplomatic, and economic partnerships the United States already has with Ukraine. Equally important, this legislation lays out a bold path for peace, stability, and reconstruction in Ukraine. I am grateful to my House and Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their support, and I strongly encourage every Member of Congress to join us in advancing this critical national security mission.”
“By invading Ukraine, the tyrant Vladimir Putin intended to steal Ukraine’s sovereignty and the Liberty of the Ukrainian people. Through the bravery of the Ukrainian people and American leadership, Russia’s illegal war has had the opposite effect,” said Kaptur. “Ukraine has stood strong and NATO has never been more united. The Stand with Ukraine Act ensures that America’s commitment to our bilateral security partnership with the democratic state of Ukraine is iron clad. Through our collaboration with the Ukrainian people we ensure that our two nations send a clear message to Putin that we will remain unrelenting in our defense of Liberty and the freedom of the Ukrainian and her people.”
Background:
- Blumenthal and Graham recently returned from their sixth visit to Ukraine, where they met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other national and military leaders.
- The Stand with Ukraine Act treats Ukraine as a major non-NATO ally, providing expanded defense article transfers and security cooperation without any new security commitments.
- The legislation also creates a framework to provide consistent support for Ukraine’s security capabilities, including prioritizing excess defense article transfers to Ukraine and reauthorizing the Ukraine Democracy Lend-Lease Program.
#####
