WATCH: Thune remembers Sen. Graham as 'my friend' during Capitol memorial service

Senate Majority Leader John Thune described Sen. Lindsey Graham’s legacy during a memorial service in his honor in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday.

Thune mentioned Graham’s work in the Senate’s judiciary and budget committees, his defense of Ukraine and his advocacy for "the unborn.”

“If he believed he was in the right, he spoke up,” Thune said. “He told things the way he saw them and he didn't mince words.”

He also paid tribute to Graham’s humor.

“The conversation and the laughs always flowed at any meal where Lindsey Graham was present,” Thune said. “He was always entertaining, and pretentious never.”

“Lindsey will be remembered as a senator and as a statesman. But for me most of all, I will remember him as my friend,” Thune said.

Graham’s remains will be taken from the U.S. Capitol, where he served for more than 30 years, to the Washington National Cathedral for a funeral service.

Sign up for Here's The Deal with Lisa Desjardins

Subscribe for exclusive content in our newsletters

PBS News podcasts

Stream your PBS favorites with the PBS app

Find more from PBS News at

Subscribe to our YouTube channel