The RNLA is pleased to announce that the 2019 Ed Meese Award, named after the 65th United States Attorney General, will be given to Senator Lindsey Graham in recognition of his career as an individual who has upheld the rule of law in the face of adverse political challenges.
Senator Graham has had a long, distinguished career in public service. Senator Graham retired from the Air Force in 2015, after 33 years of service. After law school, Senator Graham was a commissioned officer and judge advocate in the Air Force. After his active duty service ended, he joined the South Carolina Air National Guard, where he was recalled to active duty during the Gulf War and briefed departing pilots on the laws of war. Subsequently, he joined the Air Force Reserve; as a reservist on active duty in Iraq he worked on detainee and rule of law issues. In 2004, Senator Graham was promoted to colonel in the Air Force.
Senator Graham has taken the long history, passion, and dedication of public service in the military with him as he served as the 3rd Congressional district Representative from South Carolina, to his work as a U.S. Senator, and now to his new position as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
On Tuesday, Senator Lindsey Graham made his debut as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, while presiding over the hearing of Attorney General nominee William Barr. Senator Graham was, officially, elected Chairman of the Judiciary Committee on January 9, 2019, after months of speculation. Sen. Graham stated:
I’m honored to be selected as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, I will do my best to continue down the path charted by Senator Grassley of having a fair and vibrant committee process. The confirmation of conservative judges will be one of my top priorities as Chairman.
In addition, I will also continue to seek common ground on the major issue facings our nation. I look forward to working with Senator Feinstein and all my colleagues to make this new Congress successful.
During Justice Kavanaugh’s hearing, Senator Graham was strongly against delaying the hearing process and furiously admonished the Democrats for “the most unethical sham since I've been in in politics.” Senator Graham did not use GOP-retained outside counsel for questioning during his time; instead he used the moment to defend Justice Kavanaugh and fiercely criticized the Democrats for their attempt to smear Justice Kavanaugh and how they used Dr. Ford as a piece in their scheme. Senator Graham stated that it had become a “personal crusade” to destroy (Justice) Kavanaugh’s life and telling the Democrats:
What you want to do is destroy this guy's life, hold this seat open, and hope you win in 2020. …
If you really wanted to know the truth, you sure as hell wouldn’t have done what you did to this guy. Boy, you guys want power. God, I hope you never get it. I hope the American people can see through this sham. That you knew about it and you held it.
(watch full video here)
In regard to the partial government shut down and the issue of the border wall, Senator Graham has been outspoken about the need for a border wall and immigration reform. Recently, he has vocalized his support for President Trump declaring a national emergency, strictly due to Democrats' unwillingness to negotiate.
It is time for President Trump to use emergency powers to fund the construction of a border wall/barrier. I hope it works.
On Fox News Sunday, he stated:
It’s the last option, not the first option, but we’re pretty close to that being the only option.
Senator Graham will be honored as the 2019 Ed Meese Award recipient, will be speaking at the RNLA National Policy Conference in Washington D.C. on April 5, 2018, and will be the guest of honor at the pre-conference reception on the evening of April 4.
If you are interested in attending the conference, please click here for more details.