Story perspectives

McMaster Appoints Graham’s Sister to Senate, Leaders Attend Funeral

7/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

Governor Henry McMaster appointed Sen. Darline Graham (R-SC), the late Lindsey Graham’s sister, to serve the remainder of his Senate term.
The Senate scheduled a vote on his bipartisan Russia-sanctions bill for July 28, 2026.
His flag-draped casket lay in state in the Capitol Rotunda on July 28, 2026.
U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended the cathedral service.

History

Historical Context

John McCain’s August 2021 death sparked a state funeral that placed President Biden, former President Obama and dozens of foreign leaders in the Washington National Cathedral, with about 1,200 mourners inside. By requesting former presidents George W. Bush and Obama to eulogize and excluding Donald Trump, his ceremony set a bipartisan precedent that the 2026 Lindsey Graham service—hosted by Trump, JD Vance, Netanyahu and Zelenskyy—now echoes for diplomatic signaling.

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Story summary

Governor Henry McMaster appointed Sen. Darline Graham (R-SC), the late Lindsey Graham’s sister, to serve the remainder of his Senate term.
The Senate scheduled a vote on his bipartisan Russia-sanctions bill for July 28, 2026.
His flag-draped casket lay in state in the Capitol Rotunda on July 28, 2026.
U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended the cathedral service.

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