Wes Hickman (202 224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864 250-1417)

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) made the following statement after Senate Democrats refused to end the partisan filibuster of the nomination of Judge Charles Pickering to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth District: “The Senate is entering into one of its darkest chapters with the continuation of partisan filibusters to block well-qualified judicial nominees. Judge Pickering has received the highest rating from the American Bar Association, has support throughout his home state of Mississippi from Republicans and Democrats, and has been a courageous leader in bringing a better racial climate to Mississippi by advocating moderation and tolerance. Judge Pickering is being denied a judicial promotion because of liberal special interests whose intention is to distort the record of a qualified and decent man.” “The partisan filibusters of judges driven by liberal special interest politics will put the Senate in a death spiral with regard to judicial nominations. If our Democratic colleagues do not cease in partisan filibusters of well-qualified nominees there will be a confrontation in the Senate of Constitutional dimensions that will take years to overcome.” Sixty votes are required to break a filibuster. Today 54 Senators voted in favor of ending the filibuster, and 43 were opposed. ####

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), the only Senator serving in either the National Guard or Reserves, today announced improved healthcare benefits for the more than 1.8 million Guard and Reserve members. Graham, who maintains his rank as a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, passed his provision in the U.S. Senate with help from Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) and Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee Ted Stevens (R-AK). The provision, expected to cost $138 million this year, allows Guard and Reservists to enroll in TRICARE, the military health care program. Under current law, members of the Guard and Reserve and their families can only enroll in TRICARE when on active duty. The Graham/Daschle provision:

• TRI-CARE Buy In: Guard members who are unemployed or whose employers do not offer health insurance would be able to enroll themselves and their families in the military’s TRICARE program on a cost-share basis. A single reservist would pay an annual premium, around 30 percent of the annual cost of providing care, amounting to about $420 annually for single reservists and $1,450 annually for a reservist and his or her family.
• TRICARE Upon Receiving Orders: All Guard members, Reservists and their families would be eligible to enroll in TRICARE as soon as members receive activation orders, as opposed to when they are actually activated. This change will smooth and expedite the transition to active service.
• Extension of TRICARE Eligibility after Demobilization: All Guard members, Reservists, and their families would be able to stay in TRICARE for six months after demobilization.
• Authorization for Additional Medical Screening: The service secretaries are authorized to provide full medical screenings to members of the Guard and Reserves when they receive activation orders.

“I am pleased that the Congress has come together in a bipartisan fashion to improve healthcare for the brave men and women who valiantly serve our country in the Guard and Reserves,” said Graham. “These citizen-soldiers sacrifice to defend our freedom and they deserve to be rewarded. This is an extremely significant step toward repaying their efforts and the first step in what I hope will be an overhaul of the benefit package for our Guardsmen and Reservists. “This provision demonstrates a growing commitment in Congress to provide continuity of care for Guardsmen and Reservists,” said Graham. “Since 9-11 there has been a seven hundred percent increase in the use of the Guard and Reserve. We have not changed the benefits for these essential military personnel and it’s time we reward them for their service and patriotism. “Recent deployments have led to one-fourth of all Guard and Reserve members being called to active duty,” said Graham. “The stress on the Guard and Reserve force is beginning to show. The Army National Guard is almost 15 percent short, some 69,000 soldiers, of its recruiting goal. Hopefully this measure will begin to help correct this problem.” The Iraq supplemental appropriations conference report will be sent back to the House and Senate for final approval and then to the President for his signature. Major General Richard C. Alexander, president of the National Guard Association of the United States praised the provision. He said, “Today, Congress took a major step toward improving the health readiness of the National Guard and Reserves as well as the health care of individual Guardsmen and Reservists. This is the most significant victory the Guard and Reserves have had in Congress since the passage of the Montgomery GI Bill, and we expect that it will have similar positive impact in recruiting and retention. It should also make it easier to mobilize and demobilize.” ####

Wes Hickman or Kevin Bishop

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution honoring the late U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond. The resolution was introduced by Graham, Senator Hollings (D-South Carolina), and other Senators. The resolution reads as follows: Relative to the death of the Honorable J. Strom Thurmond, former United States Senator and President Pro Tempore Emeritus from the State of South Carolina. Whereas the Honorable J. Strom Thurmond conducted his life in an exemplary manner, an example to all of his fellow citizens; Whereas the Honorable J. Strom Thurmond was a devoted husband, father, and most recently, grandfather; Whereas the Honorable J. Strom Thurmond gave a great measure of his life to public service; Whereas, having abandoned the safety of high position, the Honorable J. Strom Thurmond served his country during World War II, fighting the greatest threat the world had thus far seen; Whereas the Honorable J. Strom Thurmond served South Carolina in the United States Senate with devotion and distinction; Whereas his service on behalf of South Carolina and all Americans earned him the esteem and high regard of his colleagues; and Whereas his death has deprived his State and Nation of a most outstanding Senator: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable J. Strom Thurmond, former Senator and President Pro Tempore Emeritus from the State of South Carolina. Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate communicate these resolutions to the House of Representatives and transmit an enrolled copy thereof to the family of the deceased. Resolved, That when the Senate adjourns today, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of the Honorable J. Strom Thurmond.

Wes Hickman or Kevin Bishop

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made the following statement regarding the passing of Senator Strom Thurmond: “South Carolina has lost its favorite son, Strom Thurmond; a great American patriot, statesman and close friend so many. His life was extraordinary in both length and scope. His enduring legacy for all of us in South Carolina will be that of a public servant who put the common interest ahead of self interest and had a willingness and desire to help everyone to the best of his ability. South Carolinians from all regions and backgrounds truly believe Strom would do his best to deliver a fair result and that he was on their side. No problem was too big or too small, no person was ever denied that best that Strom and his staff could deliver. Senator Thurmond served his country in every conceivable way: as a World War II veteran landing on D-Day under heavy fire, Superintendent of Education, judge, Governor, and the longest serving Senator in the history of the United States. The hallmark of Thurmond’s life was his willingness to serve, the ability to change, and to focus on the needs of individuals. There will never be another like him. From a personal perspective, I was honored to have his support, guidance and friendship. The best tribute I can provide is to continue his legacy of providing user friendly government and providing South Carolinians with passion and commitment. We mourn his loss, pray for his family, and thank God for his service to our state and nation.”