Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.) on Monday signaled a clear break from her late brother, Lindsey Graham, over the future of the legislative filibuster, just three weeks after being appointed to fill his seat. In her first major debate appearance, the political newcomer endorsed President Trump's call to eliminate the 60-vote threshold in order to advance the SAVE America Act, a voting integrity measure that has become a top GOP priority.
“One of the first things I did was co-sponsor the SAVE America Act. As I said earlier, I’m willing to stay through recess to get it done. What’s up with recess anyway? Who gets a month off from work? I think we should stay up there and work and get it done,” Graham said during the GOP Senate debate in Columbia, S.C.
She then drew a direct contrast with her brother, who had long cautioned against such a move. “This is where I differ from my brother, getting rid of the filibuster to get this done. Because eventually the Democrats are going to get rid of it anyway,” she added, arguing that Republicans should act now to change voter registration requirements before Democrats gain the upper hand.
Lindsey Graham, who died earlier this year, had acknowledged that the filibuster could be revisited but warned against immediate action. “Filibuster changes, I think, change the Senate. It may happen one day, but I don’t think it’s a good idea,” he said in an interview earlier this year.
The filibuster debate has split the GOP, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), and even some Democrats like Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) staunchly opposing its elimination. However, Trump has repeatedly pushed for its demise as a way to fast-track the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship for voter registration. The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board has criticized Trump’s push, arguing it would undermine the Senate’s deliberative role.
Graham, who has largely avoided the press since her appointment, used the debate to align herself firmly with the president. “I’m 100 percent behind him,” she said of Trump, adding that he has welcomed her into the fold. In early July, Trump publicly encouraged her to run, writing on Truth Social, “I hope Darline does this, in that there would be nobody better to honor the legacy of her beloved brother, Lindsey.”
The late senator’s death has left a void in the GOP’s foreign policy wing, and some observers expect Graham to carry on that hawkish tradition. But her campaign has so far focused on social issues, with her first ad highlighting anti-abortion views and support for banning transgender athletes from women’s sports.
Critics have questioned her lack of elected experience, but supporters argue she will bring a fresh perspective. The primary race in South Carolina is heating up, with recent polls showing a tight contest between Graham and other GOP contenders. Her stance on the filibuster could become a defining issue as she seeks to secure the nomination and ultimately a full term.
