US Senator Lindsey Graham dies at 71 after sudden illness

US Senator Lindsey Graham has died at the age of 71 following a sudden illness, according to official reports released on Tuesday. The senior Republican from South Carolina, who became one of the most influential figures in American politics over a career spanning three decades, passed away shortly after being admitted for medical treatment. Graham was a central figure in the US Senate, where he was known for his hawkish foreign policy stances and his pivotal role in judicial appointments. He served as the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee from 2019 to 2021, overseeing the confirmation of three US Supreme Court justices. His death creates an immediate vacancy in the Senate, where he had served since 2003. Succession in South Carolina Under South Carolina state law, the vacancy will be filled through an appointment by Governor Henry McMaster. The appointed individual will hold the seat until a special election is conducted to determine who will serve the remainder of Graham's six-year term. This transition comes at a period of intense political activity in Washington, where Graham’s vote was often decisive on budgetary and defense matters. Before his tenure in the Senate,…