Ohio congressman on Sen. Lindsey Graham’s passing, midterms and TPS extended for Haitians

WASHINGTON (CBS, KYMA) - Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) spoke with Margaret Brennan on Face the Nation Sunday to discuss the passing of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

A statement provided by his office says Sen. Graham died Saturday night "from a brief and sudden illness."

According to Brennan, Graham was said to be excited about getting to move the sanctions and tariffs bill against Russia, prompting her to ask Rep. Turner if he thinks it will go forward without him, to which he said:

"Let's hope...that is one of the legacies that the Senate will move his bill...I was at the NATO summit with Lindsey Graham and another senator last week, Senator Shaheen, Coons, Durbin, Rounds, and as we met with Zelenskyy, Lindsey Graham was making the point of the need for this sanctions bill that has passed the House and that I've co-sponsored, and that should pass the Senate, that Lindsey has been such a champion for. It was his bill. You know, what's so sad about losing Lindsey is that, you know, in this debate now that we have of America first...you can be America first and still understand that it doesn't have to be America alone. That, you know, allies want America's voice. America's voice is important. America needs to stand for freedom and democracy and liberty. And that's what they saw in the voice of Lindsey Graham. You know, in McCain's voice and Reagan's voice, and what they saw in Lindsey was someone who was willing to stand up and say, "You're not alone. America is with you." You know, we're not going to do it for you. We're not going to...come in and decide for you. But you're not going to be alone. And he was that voice with Ukraine, having just gone to Ukraine, saying we're going to be with you, and this bill would be an important symbolism to say 'We're going to be with Ukraine.' And I certainly hope the Senate moves it this week, and we can put it on the president's desk this week...He had been in touch with you and said he believed he had movement from the White House for that bill. We should pass this bill, put it on the president's desk."

During the interview, Brennan and Turner talked about Homeland Security's announcement saying they want states to change the way elections are conducted.

If the states refuse, they'll lose millions in federal terrorism prevention funds, and one of the things on the list is switching to paper ballots.

This led Brennan to ask the congressman what he thinks of the federal pressure to get states to change their elections, and he said:

"I'm not really familiar with this announcement. You know, obviously there is concern in Congress of federal intervention on the election on the state side. But at the same time, there is also...America First...you know, the provisions of the bills that are moving through the House that relate to ensuring that we have identification for people to prove that they're American citizens, mail ballots as the president has made as a portion of his provisions...All of those things are of concern, and certainly we have to address them."

Later in the interview, Brennan and Turner talked about the temporary protected status temporarily extended for Haitians for two weeks after it was previously revoked by the U.S. Supreme Court, leading her to ask if he knows the plan to deal with the Haitians in Ohio, and he said:

"[DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin] has said that those individuals who are working...that they should look to...as manner in which they might be able to be included in other processes, because, you know, they're contributing to society certainly. You know our governor Mike DeWine and myself and others who have individuals in our community who are going to be affected, are certainly advocates for these individuals to be able to stay in our communities, who are working and contributing. They're valuable people in our community, and we certainly hope that they can stay and be able to contribute into our communities."

To watch more of Brennan's interview with Turner, click here.