(WO) – Over the last couple of days, in the wake of the unexpected, shockingly swift passing of Senator Lindsey Graham (Rep. – South Carolina) late Saturday night from what a medical examiner has termed “an aortic dissection,” there has been much said about the late senator being a foreign policy and military expert and a statesman. All such descriptions are true and well-deserved. Furthermore, so many officials in Washington have remarked on his ability to work with people of all political affiliations—these comments have come from President Trump, Graham’s colleagues in the Senate (both Republicans and Democats) and even foreign leaders abroad.
But what many people may not realize, including some folks in this industry, is how strong and dedicated a supporter of upstream oil and gas that the senator proved to be over the years. Indeed, during a 2022 policy debate with Sen. Bernie Sanders (Indep. – Vermont), Senator Graham made it clear that despite acknowledging climate change, he opposed any renewable energy transition that would come at the expense of traditional energy sectors. He stated, “I believe climate change is real. But that’s no reason to destroy the fossil fuel industry in this country.”
Energy independence and national security. For many years, Graham argued that maximizing America’s domestic energy potential is critical to projecting strength on the world stage, decreasing reliance on hostile overseas suppliers. In a 2021 op-ed co-authored with Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (Dem. – Rhode Island), he noted the strategic benefits of U.S. natural gas and oil development in outmaneuvering illicit regimes.
Energy policy was not just a talking point for Graham before the television cameras. He made it a cornerstone of the issues that he worked on. Indeed, Graham’s official Senate website actually contained a special page dedicated to energy issues, where he posted statements that he made in favor of fossil fuels.
As chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Graham held a key position of influence on U.S. energy policy. In 2025, he stated that increasing domestic energy production and independence was a core pillar of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget resolution. He noted the budget’s purpose was to serve as a blueprint for reconciliation legislation to promote “energy dominance.”
Sanctions and foreign policy actions. As part of his ongoing national security efforts, Graham continuously supported sanctions to penalize countries that purchase foreign oil and gas that fund adversaries. This includes backing actions against Russian energy exports to target the Kremlin’s war machine. Much of this was in line with Graham’s efforts to support Ukraine in its fight with Russia.
Indeed, Graham met with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kiev last Friday, where the two discussed Ukraine’s air defense needs and a Russia sanctions bill. In fact, with Zelenskyy’s approval and an affirmative nod from the White House, Graham on Friday, along with Senators Richard Blumenthal (Dem. – Connecticut), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) released a statement that they had reached agreement with the Trump administration on legislation holding purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas accountable.
The statement read, “We are proud to announce that we have reached an agreement with the Trump administration to move our updated Russia sanctions legislation forward. We are very pleased with this significant progress and expect to roll out the legislation very soon. As Russia intensifies its slaughter of civilians, it is imperative that the Legislative and Executive branches work together to create tools to exact a heavy price on those who buy Russian oil and natural gas, fueling the Putin war machine.”
The following day, Saturday, July 11, Graham flew back to Washington, ecstatic about reaching this important agreement. Only a few hours later, he passed. Sen. Lindsey Graham will be remembered, not only for his statesmanship on foreign policy and the military, he will be remembered for his leadership on energy, particularly oil and gas.
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