National Right to Life Mourns the Loss of Senator Lindsey Graham

WASHINGTON — National Right to Life mourns the sudden passing of Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), one of the most influential and steadfast champions of unborn children ever to serve in the United States Congress. For more than three decades, Senator Graham stood at the forefront of the nation's pro-life movement, using his position to advance landmark legislation, defend the dignity of every human life, and give a voice to those who could not speak for themselves.

"The pro-life movement has lost one of its greatest champions," said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. "Throughout his career, Lindsey Graham never wavered in his conviction that every innocent human life has inherent dignity and deserves the protection of the law."

Senator Graham's legislative legacy is woven throughout the history of the modern pro-life movement. As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, he sponsored the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, groundbreaking legislation recognizing an unborn child as a separate victim when injured or killed during the commission of a federal crime. Signed into law in 2004, the measure established a lasting legal recognition of the humanity of unborn children.

Following his election to the United States Senate, Graham became one of Congress's leading advocates for federal protections for unborn children. Year after year, he introduced and defended legislation to protect pain-capable unborn children from abortion, refusing to allow the issue to disappear from the national debate. Following the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, he argued that the federal government had a role in protecting unborn children.

"Senator Graham was willing to lead difficult conversations, defend life when it was unpopular, and challenge our nation to recognize the humanity of every unborn child," Tobias said. "He never viewed the defense of innocent human life as merely another political issue. He viewed it as a moral obligation."

National Right to Life proudly endorsed Senator Graham throughout his congressional career and worked alongside him on numerous legislative initiatives that advanced protections for unborn children and their mothers.

Holly Gatling, executive director of South Carolina Citizens for Life (SCCL), called Senator Graham "a great defender” of the right to life.

“South Carolina has lost a true and effective champion of the right to life,” Gatling said. “The unborn, their mothers and the medically vulnerable members of our human family had a great defender in Senator Graham. On behalf of SCCL President Lisa Van Riper and our board of directors we extend deep condolences to the senator’s family and staff.”

Lisa Van Riper, president of South Carolina Citizens for Life, said Senator Graham consistently used his public office to advocate for unborn children.

"The unborn have lost a tremendous friend—a champion—in the passing of Senator Lindsey Graham," Van Riper said. "He never missed an opportunity to speak to the need to recognize the humanity and need to protect these little ones."

While Senator Graham's passing leaves an enormous void in the United States Senate and within the pro-life community, his legacy endures through the principles he defended and the legislation he sponsored.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to Senator Graham's family, his devoted staff, and the people of South Carolina," Tobias said. "We are grateful for his lifetime of public service and for his unwavering commitment to building a nation where every human life is welcomed, valued, and protected. His legacy will continue to inspire those who carry forward the cause to which he devoted so much of his life."