Republicans push to expedite Graham statue

FILE - In this June 12, 2003 file photo, the Rev. Billy Graham preaches at a church. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Ted Budd and Thom Tillis have introduced a resolution to expedite the installation of a statue of the Reverend William Franklin ‘‘Billy’’ Graham, Jr. into the U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Hall Collection. 

Three steps remain in the process of placing the statue in the Capitol, and this resolution would force the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress (JCL) to complete those steps without further delay. Those steps include approval of the full-sized clay model and pedestal design of a statue within 30 days, approval of the completed statue within 30 days and determining a permanent display location within 30 days of approving the completed statue. 

Eight of the state’s 14 representatives in the U.S. House also support the resolution.