South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott was emotional when reminiscing about Sen. Lindsey Graham after his sudden passing Sunday, saying “Lindsey Graham was irreplaceable.”

Scott and Graham served together in the Senate for 13 years. He remembered Graham fondly to ABC News’ “This Week” co-anchor Martha Raddatz as someone who welcomed him into the Senate as the first Black senator from South Carolina.

“I will always remember Lindsey Graham as a guy who was, as soon as I was appointed to the Senate, he embraced my candidacy for re-election. He was there on the campaign trail with me,” Scott said. “To my family, he became a friend. He was one of only three or four senators I invited to my wedding because Lindsey Graham had become a part of the family. And it is a rare thing in politics, a rare thing in life to find people who are actually your friend.”

“I don’t know another person who spent their entire adult life for one purpose: to make sure America remains the safest country on the planet to live,” Scott added. “I think of his sister, and I think of America — that would be the two major ingredients for Lindsey Graham’s family. He was just that committed to our country.”

Graham died from a “brief and sudden illness” Saturday night at 71 years old, according to a statement released by his office. An influential figure in the Republican Party, Graham’s death came as a shock to senators from both parties. 

Scott initially reacted to the news on X, saying South Carolina had “lost a statesman” and he had “lost a friend.” Scott said Graham “always led with faith, family, and South Carolina first.” 

Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., who celebrated Graham’s 71st birthday with him last week in Ankara at the NATO summit, told Raddatz that he remembered his colleague for his humor and ability to work across the aisle. Despite often clashing on policy, Coons and Graham were close friends and often traveled together as co-chairs of the Senate Appropriations Committee. In his tribute to Graham, Coons said he loved him “like a brother.” 

“There were other things he did that I really, really disagreed with and thought were bad choices and violated our shared values, but I also saw him, in his best moments, fighting fiercely for the underdog in America, for freedom around the world, and for a better future for all,” Coons said. 

Graham had recently returned from his 10th trip to Ukraine, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and toured a drone manufacturer. He appeared in a video that Zelenskyy posted with the late senator on X, with the Ukrainian president saying, “Good meeting with U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham @LindseyGrahamSC in Kyiv. This is already his 10th visit to our country, and we appreciate this support. I’m grateful to Lindsey for recognizing our warriors.”

A staunch advocate for Ukraine, Graham was in the process of pushing a Russia sanctions bill in the Senate next week.

 Texas Republican Rep. Michael McCaul, who was working on the bill with Graham, told “This Week” that Graham’s presence will be missed on Capitol Hill. 

“It’s a sad day for America. I think the Senate lost a giant today. He was my mentor, my friend … I think in his honor, that we owe it to Lindsey Graham to pass that tough Russia sanctions bill. He would love nothing more than that.” 

Initially an opponent of President Donald Trump in the Republican presidential primary in 2015, Graham became one of his closest allies, supporting his war in Iran and many of his policies. 

Trump wrote on his social media platform, “Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead! He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!!”

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz met Graham in Afghanistan while Graham was on Air Force Reserve duty and he echoed the Trump administration’s message, remembering Graham as a brave veteran. 

“He always looked out for the troops, and at the end of the day, he said our freedoms can never be taken for granted,” Waltz said.