Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., said Monday night that she supports eliminating the Senate filibuster to pass the SAVE America Act, drawing a clear distinction between her position and that of her late brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Speaking during a debate, Graham said advancing the legislation is one of her top priorities and argued that the Senate should remain in session until the measure is approved rather than taking its scheduled recess.
“One of the first things I did was co-sponsor the SAVE America Act,” Graham told the audience. “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 was sworn into the Senate on July 14 after the July 11 death of her brother, longtime Sen. Lindsey Graham. Following encouragement from President Donald Trump, she entered the special Republican primary that was triggered by her brother’s death after he had already won South Carolina’s GOP primary in June.
The debate centered in part on the SAVE America Act, legislation that has become a major point of focus in Congress.
Puck Chief Washington Correspondent Leigh Ann Caldwell said during an appearance on MS NOW in June that President Trump’s push for the legislation had significantly affected congressional business.
“Trump’s insistence on the SAVE America Act has completely paralyzed Congress,” Caldwell said. “They had to leave town early because nothing could get through because of the SAVE America Act.”
One of the legislation’s key provisions would require voters participating in federal elections to present a valid identification.
Graham defended that requirement during the debate, arguing that identification is already required for a variety of everyday activities.
“You have to have an ID to check out a library book, to buy alcohol, and you don’t have to have an ID to vote? That’s absurd,” she said.
The South Carolina senator then addressed the procedural hurdle she believes stands in the way of the bill’s passage, saying she supports eliminating the Senate filibuster if that is what it takes to move the legislation forward.
“I am all for, and 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,” Graham said.
Her remarks marked a notable departure from the position previously taken by Lindsey Graham, who defended preserving the Senate rule even as he faced pressure from President Trump earlier this year.
At the time, the late senator cautioned against changing the long-standing procedural rule.
“Filibuster changes, I think, change the Senate,” Lindsey Graham said earlier this year. “It may happen one day, but I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
Darline Graham’s comments underscore the contrast between her approach and that of her brother on one of the Senate’s most significant procedural rules.
While Lindsey Graham argued that preserving the filibuster was important to maintaining the character of the Senate, his successor said she believes eliminating it is justified if doing so allows lawmakers to pass the SAVE America Act.
As the special Republican primary moves forward, Graham has made clear that advancing the legislation remains one of her central priorities. She also indicated she believes senators should continue working through recess if necessary to secure its passage, while reiterating her support for requiring valid identification for voters participating in federal elections.
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