Graham’s Death Highlights Congress’ Age Issue

“For more than a month since Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky, entered the hospital, Washington has been on something of a death watch for the frail 84-year-old former leader, who has provided no information about his condition,” the New York Times reports.

“So the news of the sudden death on Saturday night of another lawmaker more than a decade younger, Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, came as a particular shock to his colleagues. Many of them are around the same age as Mr. Graham, who died two days after his 71st birthday, and did not think of his age or health as an issue.”

“Together, Mr. McConnell’s lengthy hospitalization and the unexpected passing of Mr. Graham offered the latest reminders that the Senate is run by a geriatric class of lawmakers — some old, and some very old — many of whom hang on to their positions of power long past their primes, and long after the age when most Americans have retired.”