Graham death, McConnell absence hang over U.S. Senate as Congress returns

Republicans effectively hold a 51-seat majority without McConnell and Graham as Congress returns from its July 4 holiday break on Monday to face a compressed four-week summer work period.

The sudden death of Senator Lindsey Graham and the ongoing absence of Senator Mitch McConnell will weigh on efforts to pass key defense and national security legislation, a new Russia sanctions bill, revive a lapsed foreign surveillance program and confirm Trump nominees, including Todd Blanche as U.S. attorney general.

Graham sat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, and McConnell remains a member. Without them, the panel could have a harder time reaching an agreement on government funding to avert a federal shutdown when current funding expires at the start of fiscal year 2027 on October 1.

Graham died from a heart ailment late on Saturday, his office said, with a temporary replacement expected to be named by the South Carolina governor. McConnell, the 84-year-old Kentucky Republican, has been absent since mid-June.

In a statement to constituents on Sunday, McConnell said he was hospitalized after a fall and later developed mild pneumonia, but has moved to a rehabilitation center and remains determined to return to the Senate.

"I'll keep working hard to get back on the Senate floor as soon as possible," McConnell said without providing a timeline for his return.

Their ability to advance legislation renewing FISA authority will depend on Trump's DNI nominee, Jay Clayton, who is due for a confirmation hearing this week as Bill Pulte's replacement.

The Senate Judiciary Committee's loss of Graham also could affect the confirmation of Blanche, who drew criticism this year as acting attorney general by promoting a now-defunct $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund that critics said could have benefited Trump allies.