Graham: GOP Senate could rein in Clinton White House

by Jordain Carney - 10/24/16 2:40 PM ET

Sen. Lindsey Graham — a chief critic of GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump — said Monday that a Republican-controlled Congress could act as a check on Democrat Hillary Clinton if she wins the White House.

“We can’t afford to have rubber-stamp Democratic congressional majorities for Hillary Clinton’s agenda,” the South Carolina Republican said on Facebook. “Keeping the GOP in control of Congress is the best insurance policy the American people can take out against a Clinton agenda.”

{mosads}He added that a “rubber-stamp Clinton Congress” would increase government regulations, taxes and spending.

Graham isn’t up for reelection, but he’s campaigned for vulnerable GOP incumbents including Sens. Kelly Ayotte (N.H.) and Pat Toomey (Pa.), whose races are at the heart of the battle for the Senate.

With Clinton leading in national polls, Republicans are increasingly arguing that voters should elect them and keep the current GOP majorities in Congress as a way to control a Democratic White House.

Clinton is currently leading Trump nationally by an average of 6 percentage points, according to RealClearPolitics.

Graham added Monday that Democrats are turning a blind eye to Clinton controversies, writing, “There has been a deafening silence by Democratic congressional candidates in light of the massive scandals and corruption.”

“I hope voters in swing states with competitive races — like New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and others — are watching,” he said. “Clinton has been campaigning hard to return control of Congress to Democrats (she’s actually in New Hampshire right now).”

Clinton is campaigning in New Hampshire with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and was in Pennsylvania and North Carolina over the weekend.

Democrats need to pick up five Senate seats — or four if Clinton wins the White House — to regain the Senate majority.

Tags Donald Trump Elizabeth Warren Hillary Clinton Kelly Ayotte Lindsey Graham