The South Carolina Republican served in Congress for more than three decades, became a prominent voice on national security and foreign policy and emerged as one of Israel’s strongest supporters in WashingtonU.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, the veteran South Carolina Republican who became one of Washington’s most recognizable foreign policy voices and a leading supporter of Israel, died Saturday following a brief and sudden illness, his office announced. He was 71.“Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period,” his office said in a statement.(Photo: AFP)Born in Central, South Carolina, on July 9, 1955, Graham studied psychology and law at the University of South Carolina before serving as an attorney in the U.S. Air Force. He continued serving in the Air Force Reserve while in Congress and retired with the rank of colonel.Graham entered the U.S. House of Representatives in 1995 and won election to the Senate in 2002, beginning his term the following year. He served as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee from 2019 to 2021 and later chaired the Senate Budget Committee.Known for his hawkish positions on Iran, Russia and global security, Graham was a close political ally of the late Sen. John McCain and later became a prominent supporter of President Donald Trump after initially opposing his 2016 candidacy. He also built a reputation as one of Israel’s most outspoken advocates in Congress.Graham briefly sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2015. At the time of his death, he had recently secured his party’s nomination to seek a fifth Senate term in November.Comments