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On Politics

Mon Jul 13 2026

Zachary Schermele | Congressional Correspondent

@zachschermele

Hello readers and welcome back to On Politics. Zach Schermele here, USA TODAY's congressional correspondent. It's Monday, and Washington is still reeling from the sudden death this weekend of Sen. Lindsey Graham. Lawmakers in both parties are mourning, but Congress is forging ahead with a wildly busy week, which could include passing a Russian sanctions bill in Graham's honor.

Let's dive in.

A marathon week in Congress

Both chambers are back after a July Fourth holiday recess and sprinting toward their next monthlong break in August — even as lawmakers grieve the unexpected passing of their longtime colleague.

Tomorrow, two Supreme Court Justices, Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett, will make a rare trip up to Capitol Hill to testify at a Senate appropriations hearing to ask for more security funding.

Wednesday's a marathon day of Senate confirmation hearings: We've got Todd Blanche, the new attorney general hopeful, CDC nominee Erica Schwartz and Jay Clayton, the former Manhattan prosecutor hoping to become the nation's top spy chief. Then, on Thursday, Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling will be up to bat at the Senate confirmation plate.

A politics rundown

•	Lindsey Graham's sudden death sent shockwaves through Congress.
•	He died of an aortic dissection. What is it? These graphics explain.
•	His passing leaves open one of the Senate's top jobs. Who's next in line?
•	His vacancy is also increasing urgency within the GOP for Mitch McConnell's return.

Daily photo gallery: See Graham's life and political career in photos

A packed agenda

That's not all to expect out of Congress this week. Legislation-wise, there's a Russian sanctions bill, championed by Lindsey Graham in his final days, that could pass in his honor.

"It would certainly be an incredible legacy for him if in fact we can find a path forward," Senate Majority Leader John Thune said on CNN this afternoon.

Staff members embrace in the hallway outside the office of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham on Capitol Hill on July 13, 2026.

Jonathan Ernst, REUTERS

Watch for more Iran war powers votes, too, which could advance with Mitch McConnell still out, Graham's seat empty, the war restarting, etc.

Speaker Mike Johnson will be trying to move toward passing more Pentagon funding for the war, potentially with some version of the SAVE America Act attached. He's hoping to get that process going this week, but it's unclear whether he can unfreeze the House floor, which has been paralyzed in part by hardliners who don't think the SAVE Act can realistically pass that way.

Oh, and another thing: On top of all that, an effort to make daylight saving time permanent is ramping up in the House this week, too.

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Next in line: Graham's sister

President Trump is recommending Darline Graham Nordone, the late senator's sister, to temporarily fill his vacant Senate seat. Thune has endorsed the plan. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is expected to officially announce his pick for the appointment at 4 p.m. today.

Zachary Schermele is the congressional correspondent for USA TODAY. You can reach him by email at zschermele@usatoday.com.