
Jewish Voter Guide
Lindsey Graham
U.S. Senate · SC · Republican
Summary
Lindsey Graham was born in 1955 and is currently serving as the senior United States Senator from South Carolina. Senator Graham’s seat is up for election in 2026.
Graham was elected to the United States Senate in 2002 and was re-elected in 2008 and 2014. Prior to serving in the Senate, Graham represented the 3rd Congressional District of South Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 until 2003. Before being elected to Congress, Graham compiled a distinguished record in the U.S. Air Force as he logged six-and-a-half years of service on active duty as an Air Force lawyer. He was awarded a Bronze Star Medal in 2014 and retired from the Air Force Reserves in 2015.
Graham is currently the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He also serves on the Foreign Relations Committee; the Appropriations Committee; and the Budget Committee.
Below is Senator Graham’s voting record and public positions on issues important to the Jewish community.
Senator Graham opposed the Iran nuclear deal. He supported the move of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem. He supported the Taylor Force Act, which states that no American governmental funds shall be given to a Palestinian entity that financially rewards terrorists or their families. He also criticized the UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which claimed that Israel’s settlements have no legal validity, and cosponsored legislation that objected the resolution.
Senator Graham has been a strong voice in advocating for security assistance to Israel. Senator Graham cosponsored the Israel Anti-Boycott Act and the Combating BDS Act of 2017, two bills that aim to fight discriminatory boycotts that target Israel.
In 2019, he voted for the Strengthening America’s Middle East Security Act which, among other things, strengthened Israel’s security and allowed a state or local government to adopt measures to divest its assets from entities that boycott Israel.
Positions
Per-issue alignment with the American Jewish Congress’s positions. Every claim links to its source. No aggregate score or grade.
Combatting Antisemitism
Antisemitism Awareness Act
AlignedSupports the Anti Semitism Awareness Act
Cosponsored the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act of 2018
U.S.–Israel Relationship
Two-state solution
AlignedSupports the Two State Solution
Opposed UN Security Council Resolution 2334 and supported the two-state solutionUN Security Council Resolution 2334
OpposedOpposed UN Security Council Resolution 2334
Opposed UN Security Council Resolution 2334 and supported the two-state solutionStrengthening America's Middle East Security Act (2019)
AlignedVoted For the Strengthening America's Middle East Security Act of 2019
Voted For the Strengthening America’s Middle East Security Act of 2019Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA)
OpposedOpposed the Iran Deal
Opposed the Iran nuclear dealU.S. embassy in Jerusalem
AlignedSupported the U.S. Embassy Move to Jerusalem
Supported the move of the U.S. embassy to JerusalemTaylor Force Act
AlignedSupported the Taylor Force Act
Introduced the Taylor Force Act
BDS & Anti-Israel Sentiment
Anti-BDS measures
AlignedOpposes BDS
Cosponsored the Israel Anti-Boycott ActIsrael Anti-Boycott Act
AlignedSupported the Israel Anti Boycott Act
Cosponsored the Israel Anti-Boycott ActCombating BDS Act of 2017
AlignedSupported the Combating BDS Act of 2017
Cosponsored the Combating BDS Act of 2017
Sources
- Opposed the Iran nuclear deal https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=A7369751-4F82-45DF-B127-D4B4AE638167
- Voted For the Strengthening America’s Middle East Security Act of 2019 https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=116&session=1&vote=00016
- Cosponsored the Israel Anti-Boycott Act https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/720/cosponsors
- Supported the move of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/support-president-trumps-decision-recognize-jerusalem-israels-capital/
- Cosponsored the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act of 2018 https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/2940/cosponsors
- Opposed UN Security Council Resolution 2334 and supported the two-state solution https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-resolution/6/cosponsors
- Introduced the Taylor Force Act https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/1697/cosponsors
- Cosponsored the Combating BDS Act of 2017 https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/170/cosponsors
- Cosponsored the United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2018 https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/2497/cosponsors
A note on methodology. This guide is published as an educational reference. The American Jewish Congress does not endorse candidates and does not publish aggregate scores. If you spot a position that needs an update or a better source, please reach the office.
