Lindsey Graham is the current senior Senator from South Carolina. He is a member of the Republican Party and serves alongside the state's junior senator, Jim DeMint. Graham served in the U.S. Air Force before beginning his political career as a House Representative in 1995. Graham spoke on the final night of the 2008 Republican Convention on September 4, 2008.http://www.columbian.com/article/20081104/APP/811040584

Alongside fellow senator Joe Lieberman, Graham has implemented an amendment in a defense spending bill that would block the release of detainee photos for three years uncontested. In opposition, Democrats in congress have requested a hearing before a passage of the bill.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/09/house-dems-want-hearings_n_213151.html

Graham was called into duty during the Gulf War and the Iraq War. He served in non-combat roles during both tours of duty. During the Gulf War, he provided legal services and instruction for personnel and their families.http://lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm? During the Iraq War, Graham served under the Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps. He worked on detainee and rule-of-law issues.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/27/AR2007082701919.html

The passage of a new healthcare bill by President Barack Obama grants health insurance to all U.S. citizens either through a private company or the government.http://health.usnews.com/health-news/managing-your-healthcare/healthcare/articles/2010/10/08/health-buzz-health-care-bill-is-constitutional-judge-rules.html Graham, being against the healthcare bill, has opted to propose a bill that would exempt his state of South Carolina from portions of the healthcare bill. Graham believes that the cost of the healthcare reform will hurt an already ailing economic system, which is part of the reason for the bill he is proposing.http://www.goupstate.com/article/20101008/ARTICLES/10081018/1001/sports02?Title=Graham-plans-bill-to-let-SC-to-opt-out-of-Obamacare-