McConnell says he was 'shocked' by Graham's death, praises his 'boundless appetite for a worthy fight'

WASHINGTON, DC: Senator Mitch McConnell paid tribute to longtime colleague Senator Lindsey Graham on Sunday, July 12, saying he was "shocked and saddened" by the South Carolina Republican's death and describing him as "a good friend and a great American."

The tribute came a day after Graham died at the age of 71 following what his office initially described as a "brief and sudden illness." McConnell honored Graham's decades of public service while reflecting on the legacy he leaves behind in the Senate. 

Mitch McConnell remembers Lindsey Graham's Senate legacy

In a statement posted on social media, McConnell praised Graham's decades of public service and his role in the Senate, where he represented South Carolina since 2003 after previously serving the state in the House of Representatives.

"Lindsey Graham was a good friend and a great American, and I was shocked and saddened by his passing," McConnell wrote. "His constituents and colleagues have counted on his straight talk, conviction, and boundless appetite for a worthy fight. The Senate will miss him, and Elaine and I are keeping his family in our prayers."

Graham's office announced his death on Sunday, asking for privacy for his family during what it described as an "incredibly difficult period." Authorities later said preliminary findings indicated Graham died from a ruptured aorta brought on by chronic heart disease.

During more than two decades in the Senate, Graham became one of the Republican Party's most prominent voices on national security, defense and foreign policy. Following his death, several Republican leaders, including President Donald Trump, publicly honored the senator's career and contributions.

Mitch McConnell shares health update after recent fall

McConnell's tribute came alongside his first public comments in weeks about the health issues that have kept him away from the Senate. The 84-year-old Kentucky senator revealed that he suffered a fall, briefly lost consciousness and was hospitalized before developing a mild case of pneumonia during his recovery.

"My doctors have confirmed that I didn't break any bones or suffer a concussion. I didn't have a heart attack or a stroke. I don't have any tumors or hemorrhages. But I was briefly unconscious and was taken to the hospital," McConnell said.

He added, "While receiving excellent care over the past several weeks, I've also had to deal with a mild case of pneumonia."

McConnell said he has undergone extensive medical testing to determine the cause of the incident and is continuing rehabilitation under doctors' supervision. "I'm continuing to do everything they ask to speed my recovery," he said.

The longtime senator said he has since been transferred to a rehabilitation center, where he continues physical therapy and is regaining strength. McConnell also said he has been advised not to return to the Senate immediately. "I won't be able to return to the Senate floor to vote quite yet," he said.

His absence has narrowed Senate Republican margins as lawmakers continue voting on legislation and executive and judicial nominations.