Ernst Honors Senator Lindsey Graham

WASHINGTON – Today on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) honored the life and legacy of her dear friend and colleague, Senator Lindsey Graham (S.C.).

Watch Ernst’s remarks here.

Ernst’s full remarks:

“I rise today with a heavy heart to honor my dear friend and colleague, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

“Before he ever set foot on this floor, he wore the uniform of the United States Air Force, serving 33 years between the Air Force, the South Carolina Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve.

“That service, and his upbringing in the back of his parents South Carolina bar, shaped everything about how he approached his work here in the Senate.

“He understood in a way too few in Washington, D.C. do, what it costs to defend freedom.

“He was one of the loudest, most persistent voices this institution has seen on the importance of American leadership in this world.

“And before I joined the Senate, Lindsey was one of my earliest supporters.

“I am so grateful for his mentorship and his friendship throughout the years.

“Lindsey was really dear to my family.

“My mother's birthday was just a few days before Lindsey's. And through the years he would call her on her birthday and wish her the happiest of birthdays.

“As my daughter entered the United States Army, he would call her and just give her words of encouragement in a hilarious way that only Lindsey Graham could.

“He was such a good and decent man.

“One thing we all knew about Lindsey was his great sense of humor.

“I'll never forget the gift he gave me after I won Iowa Senate seat. In fact, I may be the only senator in history to be handed a mounted castration clamp with a plaque engraved ‘make ‘em squeal Joni’ just off the floor of this chamber, courtesy of Lindsey Graham.

“And I think he's probably still laughing about that one.

“Earlier this year, we were talking about Lindsey, doing dinner with Lindsey as many of us did. And we were talking about this year's race because he was running for another term in the Senate.

“And my mother, again, being very close to Lindsey and his number one fan in Iowa.

“And in fact, she had a screensaver on her computer. It was her and Lindsey Graham.

“If you asked my mother who her favorite senator was, it wouldn't be Senator Chuck Grassley or even her own daughter. It would be Senator Lindsey Graham.

“She was agonizing, should I send Lindsey a donation for his campaign? And I was laughing about this with Lindsey. And so he's like, ‘give me your phone. He said, let's shoot shoot a video for your mom.’

“And so he took my phone and he made this cute little ten second video.

“And it went something like this. ‘Marilyn, we love you. We love Joni. I know times are hard, but send money anyway, lindseygraham.com”

“He did that all the time, and he was always so funny.

“And I can't tell you how many times I've watched that video over and over again and just laughed.

“He was certainly a very funny man, even when times were difficult.

“But behind the jokes was one of the most serious and effective legislators this body has ever known.

“He didn't care whose name was on a bill if the policy was right. He brokered friendships and alliances that many people in this town said were no longer possible.

“He fought hard, and then he would sit down and crack a joke with the people that he had just been arguing with.

“All of us here on this floor know that Lindsey was always moving. The man never stood still.

“He was always working the phones. Phone call after phone call. Whether it was President Trump or my mom back in Iowa.

“He was always certain that presence was power.

“I had the privilege of traveling many times over with Lindsey.

“The very first CODEL, which is a congressional delegation trip, that I took in the United States Senate, was with Lindsey.

“It was to the Munich Security Conference in Germany and other senators on that trip, former Senator Joe Lieberman, a dear friend of his, Senator John McCain, who was his deepest and truest friend, and Senator Kelly Ayotte.

“We had a wonderful trip together, and it was such a great experience for me to see him on the world stage.

“Easily moving from conversation to conversation with some of the world's most important and powerful leaders, and to see how much they deeply respected Senator Graham.

“His contributions to conflict resolution went well beyond the United States.

“Just days ago, Lindsey was in Ukraine meeting with President Zelensky and standing with a nation fighting for its survival because he believed, at his core, that American leadership was the difference between peace and oppression.

“Lindsey Graham was tough. He was funny, and he loved this country.

“To the people of South Carolina and to Lindsey's family, and most especially to his sister Darline, and all who loved him, we're all mourning together.

“As a Christian like Lindsey, I know God will bring comfort where there is fear, strength where there is shock, and hope where there is loss.

“Lindsey, we miss you. And this chamber will never be the same without you.

“Godspeed, my dear friend, and thank you for your service.”

###