Sen. Lindsey Graham talks need to pass Laken Riley Act, support for Israel and TikTok ban

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., had TikTok, Laken Riley and Israel on his mind when he visited his office in Greenville Friday morning.

The Senator discussed a wide variety of topics ― from Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to the social media app TikTok, a hot topic of discussion after the House voted to place a nationwide ban on it if China does not sell its stake in the app.

His stance goes further than just TikTok. He would like to see all social media apps be improved, as he is a proponent of repealing Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, which states sites cannot be held liable for the content users post.

"If something happens to your family on social media, if your children are preyed upon by sexual predators or groomed online, there’s nothing you can do against a social media site,” Graham said. “All these companies are immune from lawsuits.”

If the legislation banning TikTok reaches the Senate floor, he’s unsure how he would vote. Though he does want to see China sell its stake in the app, he doesn’t want to violate any rules in the constitution where you cannot go after a single company.

'Most irresponsible thing I've seen yet by a Senator'

On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer gave a speech that heavily criticized Israel and its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“As a lifelong supporter of Israel, it has become clear to me: The Netanyahu coalition no longer fits the needs of Israel after Oct. 7,” Schumer said. “Nobody expects Prime Minister Netanyahu to do the things that must be done to break the cycle of violence, preserve Israel’s credibility on the world stage and work toward a two-state solution.”

On Friday, Graham labeled Schumer’s comments as “the most irresponsible thing I’ve seen yet by a senator regarding foreign policy.

“I think this has more to do with the domestic politics in America than in Israel, but he's trying to appease a radical element of the Democratic Party, calling for the government of Israel to stand down and new elections," Graham said.

Graham on the Laken Riley Act

On March 7, the House passed legislation to ensure migrants entering the country without authorization and accused of theft will be taken into federal custody. The bill was named Laken Riley after the 22-year-old University of Georgia student was killed by Jose Antonio Ibarra. Ibarra had entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and was previously arrested.

Graham said it would pass if the legislation came to the Senate floor. Since the Senate has a Democratic majority, the bill would require bipartisan support to pass.

“The only reason it’s not coming to the floor is because of Chuck Schumer,” he said.

Graham also introduced the Laken Riley Act, alongside South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and Sen. Katie Britt, representing Alabama, Thursday, calling on Schumer to bring the act to a vote.

Savannah Moss covers Greenville County politics and growth/development. Reach her at smoss@gannett.com or follow her on X @Savmoss.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Sen. Lindsey Graham says Schumer needs to allow vote on Laken Riley Act