(KIWA Staff Photo)
Statewide Iowa (RI) — Iowa Senator Joni Ernst delivered an emotional tribute Tuesday morning to the late South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, praising his humor, his 33 years of military service, and his efforts to project American leadership around the world.
Ernst called Graham one of the most effective senators in U.S. history.
Ernst and Graham served together on the Senate Armed Services Committee and often traveled together overseas as part of congressional delegations. Ernst says she saw Graham easily move from one conversation to the next with some of the world’s most powerful leaders.
Ernst called Graham a mentor, a friend, and an early supporter of her first Senate campaign.
Ernst says Graham even called her mother on her birthday, which was a few days before his, and Ernst’s mother was considering sending a donation to his re-election campaign.
Senator Chuck Grassley spoke Monday on the Senate floor, calling Graham a fair, productive, and influential senator.
