JD Vance remembers 'true American original' Lindsey Graham at Capitol memorial service

Vice President JD Vance spoke at the memorial service held for the late Senator Lindsey Graham in the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday, recounting how the South Carolina lawmaker left a mark on him during his time in the chamber. 

“I want to tell some stories, but I also want to make an observation, which is that Lindsey Graham loved people from all walks of life,” Vance said. “I think, in part, because of the way that he grew up, because the fact that he wasn't handed everything. He was fascinated in everybody” from waitstaff and newly hired staffers up to the leadership of the United States. “I think he was fascinated in people because he loved people, and he was interested in them.”

Vance said he first met Graham while on the campaign trail in 2022 seeking to win the Senate seat in Ohio. He said that during car rides in between campaign events, he learned “a lot” from Graham. 

“I learned something from Lindsey Graham. The way that he interacted with people, the way that he was so interested in what was going on, and what was moving people, and what was motivating them, and what they were interested in. That affection and love of people was obvious even on the campaign trail, but so too was Lindsey Graham's world-class sense of humor,” said Vance. 

He recalled a time he was riding in the back of a car heading to another event, and said that if he repeated what Graham had told him, “it would be the end of my political career forever.” He added, “But what I can say is that I was laughing so hard that by the time we got to the next event, I had abdominal cramps and I was barely able to speak because Lindsey Graham could make anybody laugh, and he could make anybody feel at home.” Vance continued, “Lindsey Graham was impossible not to like as a human being, and of course as a United States Senator.” 

He recounted that while attempting to raise money for his Ohio campaign, Vance had told Graham before a Fox hit to mention his campaign website for donations. He said that over the course of the four minute interview, Graham mentioned the website “close to a dozen times. The host would ask, ‘how was the weather?’ and Lindsey would say, ‘well, before I check the weather, I always go to JDVance.com.’” Vance said that because of that interview, his campaign raised over $100,000. 

Vance also recounted arguing with Graham over Ukraine funding at a Senate lunch. “ I remember going back to my staff and saying, ‘Well, that's probably the end of Lindsey's vote on the railway bill because he is never going to support anything I support after the argument that he and I just had.’ And of course, I found out a couple of weeks later from another Senate colleague that the fiercest advocate of that bill behind the scenes was Senator Lindsey Graham.”

Vance said he asked Graham why he was helping Vance with his bill, recounting the South Carolina lawmaker saying that he didn’t care about the bill, “‘but you do.’ And that was the kind of colleague he could be, a person you argued with and fought with in one minute, but behind the scenes, without collecting an ounce of credit, was working for you and working for the things that you cared about in the next.”

Vance said that “one of the most enduring parts” of Graham’s legacy “is I do believe that Justice Kavanaugh would not be on the Supreme Court were it not for his fierce advocacy during a critical moment.”

He said regarding Graham, “what he saw happening to Kavanaugh was not a policy disagreement; it was character assassination, and Lindsey got as fiery and as passionate as I have ever seen a human being get during a judicial confirmation, and I believe that he saved that nomination.”

“So I choose to remember Lindsey Graham as a man who could disagree with you without being disagreeable. I choose to remember Lindsey Graham as a person who could fight with you on one issue, but fight for you on another issue. I remember Lindsey Graham as a man who loved people, and because he loved people, he was willing to reason with them, to respect them, and ultimately to persuade them. May God comfort all of those who loved Lindsey Graham, particularly his beautiful family. And may God rest the soul of Senator Lindsey Graham, a true American original.”

Vance wrote following the service, “It was an honor to spend this morning remembering my friend Lindsey Graham and having the opportunity to share stories about the impact he had on my life in public service. Usha and I continue to pray for his family, friends, staff, and loved ones through this difficult time.”