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

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) has secured a seat on the prestigious Senate Budget Committee in the 109th Congress set to begin in January. The Budget Committee is responsible for drafting Congress' annual budget plan and monitoring action on the budget for the federal government. In addition, the Budget Committee has jurisdiction over the operation of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The budget resolution prepared by the committee each year sets out a broad blueprint for total revenues and spending for the federal government. Other authorizing and appropriations committees prepare legislation that enacts specific tax and spending policies. In the 108th Congress, U.S. Senator Ernest “Fritz” Hollings (D-South Carolina) served on the committee. He was the only U.S. Senator to serve on the Senate Budget Committee since its establishment in 1974. In addition to Budget, Graham will continue to serve on the Armed Services, Judiciary and Veterans Affairs Committees. He will relinquish his slot on the Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee (HELP). “The Budget Committee is on the ground floor in the fight to save Social Security for future generations,” said Graham. “It also plays a very important role in shaping the tax and spending policies of the federal government. Given the agenda items I want to see addressed in the Senate in the coming years, it’s a very good place to be.” #####