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 118^th 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 118^th 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.

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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.

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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.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement on meeting with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen, and President Alexander Stubb in Finland.

“I had very productive meetings with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen, and President Alexander Stubb regarding Finland’s role in NATO and future collaborations that will be mutually beneficial to both of our nations.

“President Stubb is also a Furman University graduate who played on the golf team. What more could you want in an ally?

“As one of the newest members of NATO, Finland brings a lot to the table. Finland is one of the most forward-leaning countries on AI and quantum computing research and development, and they have some of the largest shipyards in the world. The future of our economy and warfare itself will be determined by AI development, and Finland is way ahead of the game. There is no doubt their membership to NATO further strengthens the alliance.  

“The United States and our NATO allies need to build bigger naval forces to provide the deterrence that has been lost throughout the world, and in collaboration with Finland, we will greatly accelerate that endeavor.

“We are truly lucky to have Finland as a new NATO member, and I look forward to this relationship growing.”

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