Ron Johnson 'prepared' to take over Senate Budget Committee after Graham's death [View all]

Source: Politico

07/12/2026 12:49 PM EDT


Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson is poised to take over the Budget Committee in the wake of Sen. Lindsey Graham’s sudden death late Saturday. The third-term Republican is effectively next in line to wield the committee gavel. Two more senior Republicans, Sens. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Mike Crapo of Idaho, are expected to keep their respective positions atop the Judiciary and Finance panels.

“Senator Johnson is prepared to serve as budget chair when announced,” spokesperson Grace Carnathan said in response to a question about whether he would seek the panel’s chair.

Johnson’s ascension would need to be ratified by the Senate Republican Conference and the full Senate, steps that are typically taken with little fanfare.

As Budget Committee chair, Graham played a key role in Republicans’ two filibuster-skirting reconciliation bills this Congress — last year’s tax-cuts-focused megabill and this year’s effort to fund immigration enforcement for the remainder of President Donald Trump’s term.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/07/12/ron-johnson-prepared-to-take-over-senate-budget-committee-after-grahams-death-00994167