There was a projection that the Trump administration's key legislative agenda will inevitably face setbacks after Lindsey Graham (South Carolina), a hard-line Republican who was a core confidant of U.S. President Donald Trump, died suddenly.
According to Politico, a U.S. political news outlet, on the 13th (local time), Republicans are mourning Graham's death while closely watching how his absence will affect Senate operations and the handling of major bills.
Graham died suddenly after complaining of chest pain shortly after returning home on the 11th from a visit to Ukraine.
He was Trump's closest confidant and served as a key broker consolidating the White House and the Senate within the Republican Party.
Politico noted, "While Republicans are mourning Graham's death, they are also dealing with the broad impact his absence will have on the party's agenda," adding that the fate of several major legislative items has become uncertain due to the stature Graham held.
Trump also said in a phone interview with U.S. media the previous day, "He was able to work well with both Democrats and Republicans," and added, "I usually didn't ask for help when I had a really serious problem, but if there was a problem with the Democrats, he (Graham) could solve it. That's something most Republicans can't do," expressing regret.
The most urgent pending issue is the confirmation process for Attorney General nominee Todd Blanche.
Republican leadership had been counting on Graham's role ahead of the confirmation hearing scheduled for the 15th, worried that some members of their party might break ranks.
But with his death, the Senate now stands at 52 Republicans to 47 Democrats. If just three Republicans vote no, the nominee's confirmation could fail.
On top of that, the return of Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell (Kentucky), who was hospitalized in the middle of last month, is also uncertain. McConnell said in a statement the previous day that he was hospitalized due to a fall and has mild pneumonia symptoms, making it difficult to return to the Senate for the time being.
Handling of key defense-related bills is also expected to be affected.
Review of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which approves the Ministry of National Defense budget and policy, has likewise run into a variable. Politico reported, "With Democrats threatening to block this typically bipartisan bill, Graham was set to play a key role in the floor debate."
There is also analysis that the $350 billion (about 523 trillion won) defense budget increase plan the Trump administration is pursuing separately from the regular budget process could be affected. Graham, who had been serving as Senate Budget Committee chair, was expected to lead Republicans in passing the bill, but his absence could sap momentum.
Meanwhile, Trump on this day recommended his younger sister, Darlene Graham, on his social media (SNS) Truth Social as the interim senator to fill Graham's term, which runs through early next year.
Trump wrote, "This would be a wonderful tribute to Lindsey, whom she loved very much."
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, who has the authority to appoint an interim senator, is scheduled to announce a successor in the afternoon.