US Senator Lindsey Graham has died at the age of 71 from a ‘brief and sudden illness.’

The Republican representative from South Carolina passed away on Saturday evening, according to a statement from his office.

‘Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy at this incredibly difficult period,’ the statement read. 

Emergency services responded to a ‘cardiac arrest’ at Graham’s home in Washington DC on Saturday night, NBC News reported.

Graham never married and is survived by his younger sister Darline Graham Nordone and other relatives.

His death comes just days after he visited Ukraine and met with the country’s President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss the ongoing Russian invasion.

He later announced that an agreement had been reached with President Donald Trump to advance bipartisan legislation targeting countries buying Russian energy which would potentially clear the way for stronger pressure on Moscow over its war in Ukraine. 

Most recently he served on Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and as a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senate Judiciary Committee and Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Prior to serving in the Senate, Graham was elected to the House of Representatives in 1994.

US Senator Lindsey Graham has died at the age of 71 from a ‘brief and sudden illness’

Graham also served in the United States Air Force with a six-and-a-half year stint service on active duty as an Air Force lawyer.

He then went on to join the South Carolina Air National Guard until 1995, during which time he was called to active duty in the Gulf War.

He enlisted in the Air Force reserves where he achieved the rank of Colonel before he retired in June 2015. 

Born in July 1955 in Central, Pickens County, Graham came from humble beginnings and was the first member of his family to go to college.

He earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of South Carolina and was a practicing Baptist. 

This is a breaking news story.