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Samuel Bruce Graves Jr. (born November 7, 1963) is an American politician best known for serving in the U.S. House of Representatives for Missouri's 6th congressional district, with him being the dean of Missouri's congressional delegation upon the retirement of Senator Roy Blunt in 2023, and having held office since 2001. The aforementioned district stretches across most of the northern third of the state, with it including territory from the Kansas border to the Illinois border. The bulk of its population lives in the northern part of the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Key Information

Graves is a member of the Republican Party. He has notably served as the Chair in charge of the influential Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in the U.S. House for multiple years, with him being able to exceed the system of American term limits normally enforced by the Republican leadership.[1]

The Center for Effective Lawmaking, at Vanderbilt University and the University of Virginia, ranked him as the most effective House Republican in the 118th Congress (2023–25).[2]

Early life

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Graves was born on November 7, 1963, in Tarkio, Missouri.[3] He is the son of Janice A. (née Hord) and Samuel Bruce Graves, and the brother of attorney Todd Graves.[4] He graduated from the University of Missouri College of Agriculture with a degree in agronomy.[3] He is a member of the Alpha Gamma Sigma fraternity.[5]

Missouri legislature

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Graves was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 1992.[6] After one term, he was elected to the Missouri Senate in 1994 and reelected in 1998.[3]

U.S. House of Representatives

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Political positions

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Financial bailouts

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After the September 2008 economic crisis, Graves voted against the proposed bailout of United States financial system, claiming it "neither 'punished the wrongdoers nor adequately protected the innocent taxpayers, investors and retirees' caught in the Wall Street banking crisis."[7] In January 2014, Graves introduced the TRICARE Family Improvement Act. The bill would allow dependents of military members to stay on their parents' TRICARE health plan after turning age 26. The bill would change current law, which requires those dependents to change to a separate health plan after turning 26.[8] The American Conservative Union gave him an 85% evaluation in 2017. As of 2019, Graves has a 4% lifetime score from the League of Conservation Voters.[9]

Boeing 737 MAX crashes

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Graves blamed on May 13, 2019, at the House Aviation subcommittee hearing, the 737 MAX crashes (Lion Air Flight 610) on October 29, 2018, and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302) on poor training of the Indonesian and Ethiopian pilots. He stated also that "pilots trained in the U.S. would have been successful" in handling the emergencies on both jets.[10][11] One month earlier the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had issued the Boeing 737 MAX groundings.

Israel-Palestine

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Graves voted to support Israel following the October 7 attacks.[12][13]

Committee assignments

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Caucus memberships

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Ethics investigation

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In 2009, the House Ethics Committee began an inquiry into whether Graves used his position on the Small Business Committee to invite Brooks Hurst, a longtime friend and a business partner of his wife, to testify at a committee hearing on the federal regulation of biodiesel and ethanol production. Graves had failed to mention the financial link between his wife and Hurst at the hearing, which dealt with federal subsidies for renewable fuels. A review by the independent Office of Congressional Ethics found "substantial reason to believe that an appearance of conflict of interest was created."[17] Graves said in a statement, "I look forward to a quick review of the facts and answering any questions that the committee may have. I believe that a speedy review will show that all the rules of the House concerning testimony in front of the Small Business Committee were followed."[18] The Office of Congressional Ethics referred the case to the House Ethics committee, which ended its own investigation in October, and released a report finding no ethical violations, as it asserted there was no standard in place for appearances like Hurst's.[19][20]

Political campaigns

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Before his congressional career, Graves served eight years in the Missouri General Assembly, winning election to the Missouri House of Representatives once, and to the Missouri Senate twice.

Graves on the left with President George W. Bush at the Ford Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri on March 20, 2007
Graves greeting President Barack Obama in the Blue Room of the White House on May 2, 2011
Graves with President Donald Trump at the signing of the FAA bill on October 5, 2018
Graves and a bipartisan group of lawmakers from the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee meet with President Joe Biden on March 4, 2021

In 2000, Democratic U.S. Representative Pat Danner suddenly retired due to breast cancer. Graves filed within the short period of time left for filing. He faced Danner's son, Steve Danner, a former state senator, in the general election. Graves called Danner as a "tax and spend liberal" and won the race with 51% of the vote.[21]

1992

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1992 Election for Missouri House of Representatives 4th District
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Sam Graves 7,837 56.48%
Democratic Everett W. Brown 6,038 43.52%
Total votes 13,875 100%

1994

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1994 Election for Missouri Senate 12th District
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Sam Graves 35,221 60.61%
Democratic Doug R. Hughes 22,888 39.31%
Total votes 58,109 100%

1998

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1998 Election for Missouri Senate 12th District
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Sam Graves 31,883 62.69%
Democratic Beth M. Wheeler 18,974 37.31%
Total votes 50,857 100%

2000

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2000 Election for U.S. Representative of Missouri's 6th Congressional District
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Sam Graves 30,014 68.05
Republican Teresa Anne Loar 7,493 16.99
Republican Jeff Bailey 4,575 10.37
Republican John Dady 1,122 2.54
Republican Jack C. DeSalms 901 2.04
Total votes 44,105 100
General election
Republican Sam Graves 138,925 50.85
Democratic Steve Danner 127,792 46.78
Libertarian Jimmy Dykes 3,696 1.35
Natural Law Marie Richey 2,788 1.02
Total votes 273,201 100

2002

[edit]
2002 Election for U.S. Representative of Missouri's 6th Congressional District
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Sam Graves 131,151 63.03
Democratic Cathy Rinehart 73,202 35.18
Libertarian Erik Buck 3,735 1.79
Total votes 208,088 100

2004

[edit]
Graves during the
108th Congress
2004 Election for U.S. Representative of Missouri's 6th Congressional District
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Sam Graves 196,516 63.83
Democratic Charles S. Broomfield 106,987 34.75
Libertarian Erik Buck 4,352 1.41
Total votes 307,855 100

2006

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2006 Election for U.S. Representative of Missouri's 6th Congressional District
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Sam Graves 150,882 61.64
Democratic Sara Jo Shettles 87,477 35.73
Libertarian Erik Buck 4,757 1.94
Progressive Party Shirley A. Yurkonis 1,679 0.69
Total votes 244,795 100

2008

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See also: 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Missouri § District 6

In 2008, Graves' Democratic challenger was former Kansas City Mayor Kay Barnes. She was the first reasonably well-financed Democrat to run in the district since Graves' initial run. Graves gained national attention early in the race for running an ad accusing Barnes of promoting "San Francisco values". Despite Barnes' roots in the district (she grew up in St. Joseph and lived in the district's share of Kansas City), Graves was reelected handily, with 59% of the vote to Barnes's 37%.

2008 Election for U.S. Representative of Missouri's 6th Congressional District
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Sam Graves 196,526 59.43
Democratic Kay Barnes 121,894 36.86
Libertarian Dave Browning 12,279 3.71
Total votes 330,699 100

2010

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See also: 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Missouri § District 6
2010 Election for U.S. Representative of Missouri's 6th Congressional District
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Sam Graves 54,566 82.46%
Republican Christopher Ryan 11,608 17.53%
Total votes 66,174 100
General election
Republican Sam Graves 154,103 69.44
Democratic Clint Hylton 67,762 30.54
Write-In Kyle Yarber 47 0.02
Total votes 221,912 100

2012

[edit]
2012 Election for U.S. Representative of Missouri's 6th Congressional District
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Sam Graves 59,388 80.33%
Republican Christopher Ryan 9,945 13.45%
Republican Bob Gough 4,598 6.22%
Total votes 73,931 100
General election
Republican Sam Graves 216,906 65.00
Democratic Kyle Yarber 108,503 32.52
Libertarian Russ Monchil 8,279 2.48
Total votes 333,688 100

2014

[edit]
2014 Election for U.S. Representative of Missouri's 6th Congressional District
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Sam Graves 124,616 66.65
Democratic Bill Hedge 55,157 29.50
Libertarian Russ Monchil 7,197 3.85

2016

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2016 Election for U.S. Representative of Missouri's 6th Congressional District
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Sam Graves 238,388 68.0
Democratic David Blackwell 98,588 28.4
Libertarian Russ Monchil 8,123 2.3
Green Mike Diel 4,241 1.2

2018

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2018 Election for U.S. Representative of Missouri's 6th Congressional District
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Sam Graves 199,796 65.4
Democratic Henry Martin 97,660 32.0
Libertarian Dan Hogan 7,953 2.6

2020

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2020 Election for U.S. Representative of Missouri's 6th Congressional District
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Sam Graves 258,709 67.1
Democratic Gena Ross 118,926 30.8
Libertarian Jim Higgins 8,144 2.1

2022

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2022 Election for U.S. Representative of Missouri's 6th Congressional District
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Sam Graves 184,865 70.3
Democratic Henry Martin 72,253 27.5
Libertarian Edward A (Andy) Maidment 5,774 2.2

2024

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2024 Election for U.S. Representative for Missouri's 6th congressional district
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Sam Graves (incumbent) 265,210 70.7
Democratic Pam May 100,999 26.9
Libertarian Andy Maidment 5,919 1.6
Green Mike Diel 3,058 0.8
Total votes 375,186 100.0
Republican hold

Personal life

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Graves is a general aviation pilot. He owns a Piper PA-11 Cub Special, is restoring a Beech AT-10, and co-owns a North American T-6 Texan and a Vultee BT-13 Valiant. Gould Peterson Municipal Airport is named after his uncle, an aviator, and is on his family's farm.[22][23][24] Graves is a Baptist.[25]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Sam Graves

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Samuel Bruce Graves Jr. (born November 7, 1963) is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for since 2001. A Republican, he has chaired the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure since the 118th Congress, guiding federal policy on surface transportation, aviation, and water resources infrastructure. Born in Tarkio, , Graves graduated from Tarkio High School in 1982 and earned a in from the in 1986. Prior to his federal service, Graves worked as a farmer in northwest Missouri and represented the region in the Missouri House of Representatives from 1993 to 1999, focusing on agricultural and rural development issues. Elected to Congress in 2000 following the retirement of Pat Danner, he has secured re-election in every subsequent cycle, often with strong majorities reflecting the district's conservative leanings. As committee chairman, Graves has prioritized infrastructure modernization, including advancements in FAA reauthorization and disaster response efficiency, while advocating for reduced regulatory burdens on transportation sectors critical to Missouri's economy.

Early life and education

Family background and upbringing

Samuel Bruce Graves Jr. was born on November 7, 1963, in Tarkio, a rural town in Atchison County, northwest , to a sixth-generation farming family. Tarkio, with a population under 2,000 as of the 2020 census, exemplifies the agrarian economy of the region, where dominates local livelihoods. Graves grew up immersed in his family's farming operations, which involved raising corn, soybeans, hogs, and in collaboration with his father and brother. This hands-on involvement from an early age exposed him to the practical demands of crop cultivation, livestock management, and the seasonal cycles of farm labor in Missouri's northwest corner, an area characterized by fertile soils suited to row crops but vulnerable to weather variability and market fluctuations. The family's multigenerational continuity in farming, spanning over 150 years by Graves' adulthood, reflected a hereditary commitment to land stewardship amid evolving .

Academic pursuits and early development

Samuel Bruce Graves graduated from Tarkio High School in Tarkio, , in 1982. Born and raised in a rural farming community in northwest , his high school education provided foundational knowledge in practical subjects suited to agricultural life, reflecting the region's emphasis on hands-on skills over theoretical pursuits. Graves attended the University of Missouri-Columbia, earning a degree in from the College of , Food and Natural Resources in 1986. This coursework focused on , crop production, and farm management, aligning directly with family farming operations and equipping him with applied scientific principles for real-world agricultural challenges rather than extended academic specialization. His decision to pursue and complete this degree amid concurrent farm responsibilities underscored a preference for targeted, utilitarian education that supported immediate practical needs over prolonged scholarly endeavors. Parallel to his academic path, Graves developed an early interest in , influenced by proximity to a small local during his youth in Tarkio. Without formal training, he acquired piloting skills through private certification, achieving a commercial pilot's rating and accumulating substantial flight hours, which honed his aptitude for technical precision and independent problem-solving in mechanical and navigational domains. These formative experiences in fostered a self-reliant, style that complemented his agronomic training, emphasizing empirical testing and causal understanding over institutionalized expertise.

Pre-political career

Agricultural and entrepreneurial endeavors

Graves, a sixth-generation family farmer from Tarkio in northwest , has operated a and with his wife, Rosanne, encompassing row s such as corn and soybeans alongside and production. This hands-on management involved navigating volatile commodity markets, weather risks, and input costs, sustaining operations through diversified production rather than reliance on subsidies alone. Prior to entering , Graves demonstrated entrepreneurial acumen by maintaining the family enterprise as a , employing local labor and adapting to economic pressures like fluctuating grain prices and feed expenses in the and . His success in this arena earned recognition from the Missouri Farm Bureau as the state's Outstanding Young Farmer in 1990, followed by the national Outstanding Young Farmer award in 1991, underscoring effective practices in resource allocation and risk mitigation amid agricultural downturns. These endeavors provided empirical insight into regulatory hurdles, such as environmental compliance and labor rules, which Graves addressed through practical efficiencies rather than expansion dependent on government intervention, preserving the farm's viability in a competitive rural . Graves holds an Airline Transport Pilot Certification (ATP), the highest level of pilot certification issued by the , and has logged more than 3,000 hours of flight time primarily in operations. He began as a teenager and advanced to status through channels, accumulating hands-on experience piloting small suited to non-scheduled, short-haul flights common in rural settings. This expertise, developed without service, emphasized practical skills in handling, , and for single-engine and light multi-engine planes. In his pre-political career, Graves applied this proficiency to support the logistical demands of family farming operations, including efficient point-to-point transport across Missouri's expansive agricultural districts where road networks are limited. Such capabilities proved essential for overseeing remote farm assets and conducting aerial surveys, highlighting the role of in addressing rural connectivity challenges.

Personal life

Family and residences

Graves married Lesley Hickok in 1986 following his graduation from the University of Missouri-Columbia. The couple had three children: daughters and , and son Sam III. They divorced in 2012 after 26 years of marriage, issuing a joint statement noting their shared appreciation for the family they built despite growing apart. Graves maintains his primary residence on a family farm outside Tarkio in Atchison County, within , where he was born and raised. This rural location in northwest aligns with the district's agricultural communities and reflects his ongoing commitment to residing among constituents rather than relocating to urban areas. As of recent records, he remains a lifelong resident of the Tarkio area.

Community and recreational activities

Graves has been involved in several civic organizations in , including membership in the Farm Bureau and the Rotary Club, as well as service on the University Extension Council. He previously participated in the Missouri Historical Society and volunteered with local fire and rescue squads in his rural community. These engagements reflect his ties to agricultural and small-town networks in northwest . As a Baptist, Graves is affiliated with the First Baptist Church, contributing to local religious and social frameworks. In recreational pursuits, Graves maintains an active interest in , holding an airline transport pilot certification and logging over 3,000 hours of flight time as a hobbyist pilot. This personal aligns with his rural lifestyle, emphasizing hands-on engagement beyond professional obligations.

State legislative service

Entry into politics and Missouri House tenure

Graves, a sixth-generation family farmer and owner in rural northwest , entered elective in 1992 by winning election to the for the 4th District, defeating the Democratic incumbent with 56.48% of the vote. His candidacy stemmed from a commitment to represent the interests of agricultural communities and rural economies, areas central to his personal background and the needs of his constituents in Atchison and adjacent counties. He assumed office in January 1993 and served two years until 1995, when he successfully campaigned for a state Senate seat. During this period, Graves earned recognition as the Outstanding Freshman Legislator for his engagement on policy matters affecting rural . His legislative approach emphasized , prioritizing restrained state spending and support for local economic priorities over expansive government programs. While operating in a divided , Graves demonstrated a willingness to work across party lines on practical issues like maintenance and agricultural support, though his voting record consistently aligned with Republican principles on budgetary restraint and limited taxation. This tenure laid the groundwork for his subsequent advancement to the and eventual federal service, establishing him as a voice for northwest Missouri's farming and small-town constituencies.

Key legislative contributions in Missouri

During his eight years in the Missouri House of Representatives (1993–2001), Sam Graves sponsored and supported legislation prioritizing and rural infrastructure, drawing from his experience as a sixth-generation . As the youngest Speaker Pro Tem in state history from 1999 to 2000, he advanced measures to deregulate aspects of small operations, aiming to alleviate state-imposed regulatory burdens that disproportionately affected family-owned agricultural enterprises in rural like his own in northwest . These efforts included bills reducing paperwork and compliance costs for and crop producers, reflecting data on how excessive state oversight contributed to declining viability amid fluctuating prices and input costs during the 1990s. Graves also championed transportation initiatives to enhance rural road networks, sponsoring bills that allocated state funds for maintenance and upgrades of roads critical for farm-to-market access. These precursors to his federal focus addressed of deteriorating rural highways—Missouri's extensive network of over 110,000 miles of local roads, much of it or unpaved in agricultural areas—where poor conditions increased transportation costs for and haulers by up to 20% according to state transportation reports from the era. In , Graves consistently opposed proposed tax increases, citing Missouri's structural budget constraints and reliance on and property taxes that hit rural, low-income households hardest; for instance, he voted against hikes in the state rate during sessions facing revenue shortfalls, arguing that empirical economic analyses showed such measures stifled growth and farm investment without addressing underlying spending inefficiencies. His positions aligned with data from the Missouri Department of Revenue indicating stagnant rural relative to urban areas, prioritizing instead targeted spending cuts and efficiency reforms to maintain .

Congressional career

2001 special election and early terms

Samuel Graves won election to the U.S. House of Representatives for Missouri's 6th congressional district on November 7, 2000, succeeding Democratic incumbent Pat Danner, who retired after announcing on July 11, 2000, that she would not seek a fifth term due to complications from ovarian cancer. As the Republican nominee, Graves received 118,527 votes (55.9 percent) against Democrat Ronnie Blackshear's 86,796 votes (41.0 percent), with the remainder going to minor candidates. Danner died on November 12, 2000, five days after the election. Graves took office on January 3, 2001, at the start of the 107th Congress. In his initial terms spanning the 107th through 111th Congresses (2001–2010), Graves concentrated on bolstering rural economies in northern through advocacy for agricultural subsidies, disaster relief, and transportation improvements tailored to farming needs. Following the September 11, 2001, attacks, he supported enhanced federal protections for agricultural , including funding for measures to safeguard and crops from potential terrorist threats, as rural areas faced unique risks in the national food . Graves also prioritized amid economic pressures, backing extensions of and emergency assistance programs that aided producers during droughts and market volatility in the mid-2000s. Graves consolidated his position with decisive re-elections, routinely exceeding 60 percent of the vote in the solidly Republican district—for instance, securing 66.5 percent against Democrat Darold Henderson in 2002—indicating robust local backing even amid national controversies like the . This pattern underscored voter approval of his emphasis on practical rural priorities over partisan turbulence.

Committee assignments and leadership ascent

Upon entering the U.S. in 2001 following a special election, Graves received assignments to committees aligned with his background in agriculture, , and aviation, including service on the Committee on . He subsequently served on the Committee on Agriculture, reflecting his family's multi-generational farming operations in , and the Committee on Armed Services, where he contributed to oversight of military procurement and readiness. Graves advanced within the Small Business Committee, serving as Ranking Republican Member during the 111th Congress (2009–2011) and as Chairman from the 112th to 114th Congresses (2011–2015) after Republicans gained the majority. In this role, he led efforts to advance legislation reducing regulatory barriers for small enterprises, drawing on his prior experience as a hauling business owner. Parallel to his Small Business leadership, Graves maintained membership on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, informed by his commercial pilot credentials and district interests in rural aviation and highways. His progression to senior roles on this panel stemmed from consistent tenure since the early 2000s, demonstrated policy acumen, and Republican conference recognition of his expertise, culminating in his appointment as Ranking Member from the 116th to 117th Congresses (2019–2023). This ascent underscored a trajectory driven by seniority—built over two decades of service—and substantive contributions rather than partisan favoritism.

Chairmanship of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

Sam Graves was selected by the to serve as Chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for the 118th Congress on January 10, 2023. In this role, he leads oversight of federal transportation programs, including the distribution of funds from the 2021 , which authorized approximately $1.2 trillion in spending over five years, with a significant portion allocated to surface transportation, , and maritime infrastructure. Graves has emphasized rigorous accountability to prevent waste, conducting hearings on implementation and critiquing inefficient allocations, such as those tied to unsubstantiated environmental mandates. Under Graves' chairmanship, the committee has prioritized projects demonstrating clear economic returns, including support for Missouri's expansion. In January 2024, Graves announced a $92.8 million grant to improve I-70, aiding Governor Mike Parson's $2.8 billion plan to widen the highway to six lanes across key sections, enhancing freight efficiency and reducing congestion on a vital corridor for national commerce. This initiative reflects a focus on high-impact over ideologically driven spending, with Graves advocating for investments grounded in measurable benefits like improved and reliability rather than compliance with green energy requirements lacking proven cost-effectiveness. Graves has pursued a fiscally conservative agenda within a bipartisan framework, collaborating with on oversight while pushing rescissions of wasteful provisions from the 2021 law and the . In 2025, the committee advanced reconciliation proposals to offset new investments by cutting approximately $25 billion in inefficient programs, including initiatives that divert funds from core maintenance without commensurate gains. He has also led efforts toward a successor surface transportation bill, aiming to reauthorize and transit programs by late 2025 with stricter fiscal discipline and emphasis on user fees for electric vehicles to sustain the amid declining gas tax revenues. In December 2024, Graves was reselected for another term, continuing oversight amid ongoing debates over federal spending efficiency.

Political positions and legislative priorities

Fiscal and economic conservatism

Graves voted against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, which authorized the $700 billion (TARP) to purchase troubled assets from financial institutions. His opposition aligned with concerns over government intervention distorting market signals and incentivizing risky behavior through , as evidenced by subsequent studies showing TARP's limited long-term stabilization effects beyond direct capital injections, with many banks repaying funds but systemic risks persisting due to unresolved leverage issues. In advocating for tax relief targeted at small businesses, Graves co-introduced the Small Business Tax Cut Act of 2012, proposing a 20 percent reduction for firms with fewer than 500 employees to enhance competitiveness and investment. This stance reflects empirical patterns where small businesses have driven the majority of net job creation; according to U.S. data, they accounted for 66 percent of employment growth over the prior 25 years through 2022, generating 12.9 million net new jobs. Such cuts aim to counteract regulatory and tax burdens that disproportionately hinder smaller enterprises relative to larger corporations with greater compliance resources. Graves has consistently criticized chronic deficit spending, arguing it undermines economic confidence by prioritizing short-term outlays over sustainable fiscal discipline. He highlighted post-2009 deficits exceeding $1 trillion annually and supported measures like the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023, which capped discretionary spending at fiscal year 2022 levels and limited annual growth to 1 percent while reclaiming unspent COVID-19 funds. This approach favors balanced budgets to avert debt accumulation, drawing on historical precedents where unchecked deficits correlated with higher interest rates and crowding out private investment, as opposed to reliance on stimulus that often yields diminishing returns due to multiplier effects below unity in empirical analyses.

Transportation, infrastructure, and aviation policy

As Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure since January 2023, Sam Graves has prioritized enhancements alongside streamlined processes to foster innovation without undue regulatory burdens. In response to the 2018 and 2019 crashes, which grounded the fleet for 20 months and prompted scrutiny of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) oversight, Graves supported bipartisan reforms embedded in the 2020 Aircraft , Safety, and Accountability Act. These measures strengthened FAA review of design changes at the aircraft level, extended whistleblower protections to manufacturing employees, and mandated independent safety assessments, aiming to prevent shortcomings while avoiding overregulation that could stifle industry progress. Graves led the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, enacted on May 16, 2024, which reauthorizes FAA programs through fiscal year 2028 and incorporates further certification streamlining alongside investments in modernization and safety technologies. The legislation addresses ongoing concerns from the MAX incidents by requiring FAA approval for certain personnel changes and enhancing transparency in delegated authority to manufacturers, balancing causal factors in past failures—such as inadequate hazard identification—with measures to expedite approvals for safe innovations. He has praised incremental steps like the 2024 approval of 9 inspections, viewing them as progress toward restoring operational confidence without punitive overreach. On infrastructure, Graves advocates a "back to basics" strategy for highways, emphasizing core maintenance and construction efficiency amid shortfalls, where expenditures have outpaced revenues since 2001. His committee's proposals seek to optimize user-fee models for solvency while critiquing inefficient spending that inflates project costs, such as those driven by mandates linked to union labor requirements. In infrastructure, Graves staunchly defends rural airports vital to his district's economy, securing $1.2 million for Cameron Airport's runway improvements in 2024 and advocating provisions in the 2023 FAA bill to enhance air service incentives for underserved areas. These efforts support operations, including crop dusting and emergency services, which underpin rural economic data showing airports generating thousands of jobs and facilitating $1.5 billion in annual agricultural output.

Agriculture, rural development, and small business advocacy

Graves has advocated for agricultural policies that support 's farm economy, particularly through involvement in farm bill negotiations emphasizing and safety nets for producers facing volatile prices influenced by international markets. As a member representing a district encompassing significant and production, he co-sponsored the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression Act (H.R. 4417) in the 118th to address unfair trade practices that disadvantage U.S. farmers. He also backed the American Farmers Feed the World Act (H.R. 4293), promoting exports while safeguarding domestic producers from subsidized foreign competition that depresses prices for soybeans, corn, and cattle. These efforts align with broader farm bill provisions, such as the 2018 Farm Bill's updates to reference prices and base acres, which empirical data from USDA analyses show stabilized farm incomes in Midwest states amid global oversupply, though critics argue such subsidies distort markets and favor larger operations over small family farms. In advocacy, Graves chaired the House Small Business Committee from 2011 to 2015, prioritizing regulatory relief to foster job creation, where small firms account for approximately 70% of net new jobs according to data. He sponsored the JOBS Act of 2012, which eased SEC regulations for emerging growth companies, facilitating capital access and correlating with a post-enactment uptick in IPOs from 2013 onward as reported by metrics. Additionally, his Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act, incorporated into H.R. 4 in 2011, required agencies to assess regulatory impacts on small entities more rigorously, aiming to curb compliance costs estimated by the SBA at $10,000 annually per . Graves led the repeal of the IRS 1099 reporting mandate for transactions over $600, a provision in the 2010 law projected to generate 3.6 million additional forms yearly, which he argued burdened small contractors without yielding proportional revenue, as evidenced by subsequent IRS data showing minimal tax gap closure from similar rules. On , Graves has targeted infrastructure deficits contributing to outmigration, including gaps that hinder economic retention in Missouri's non-metro counties, where USDA data indicate population declines of 2-5% per decade linked to limited connectivity for and ag-tech. He authored the E-BRIDGE Act, signed into law on January 7, 2025, which streamlines grants for high-speed internet projects in underserved areas, enabling deployments that could connect up to 20% more rural households per FCC mapping updates. To counter regulatory overreach exacerbating depopulation, Graves introduced a resolution in 2023 under the to overturn the Biden administration's Waters of the rule, which expanded federal jurisdiction over rural wetlands and streams, potentially restricting farmland use and adding compliance costs estimated at $500 million annually for agriculture by American Farm Bureau analyses. These measures address causal factors like land-use constraints and digital isolation, though outcomes depend on amid ongoing debates over federal versus local control.

Foreign policy and national security

Graves has maintained a staunch pro- position, viewing the nation as America's foremost ally against terrorism and Iranian influence. Following the October 7, 2023, attacks, he endorsed House Resolution 771, which affirmed U.S. solidarity with in defending against "barbaric" terrorism while rejecting narratives equating the conflict to . In April 2024, Graves voted for the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, allocating over $26 billion in military assistance to bolster 's defenses against , , and Iran-backed proxies, emphasizing targeted security support over broader humanitarian funding. He has co-sponsored legislation like the United States- Strategic Partnership Act, enhancing bilateral defense cooperation, and publicly reaffirmed this alliance in statements decrying Iranian-financed threats as of October 2024. On , Graves has adopted a restrained approach, favoring limited to deter Russian expansion while critiquing unchecked financial commitments that strain U.S. resources amid domestic border vulnerabilities. He condemned Russia's , 2022, invasion, supporting allies and initial mechanisms for defense . In April 2024, Graves backed military components of the supplemental but sponsored an amendment to eliminate non-military aid, arguing against "endless" economic transfers that bypass rigorous oversight and exacerbate America's $34 trillion debt. He opposed the full $61 billion -USAID package, prioritizing "delicate negotiations" and U.S. border security over indefinite funding, reflecting a realist emphasis on finite American leverage against prolonged conflicts. By June 2024, he reiterated support for to halt Russian advances toward 's , but only insofar as it aligns with U.S. strategic interests without open-ended fiscal burdens. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee and its Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee since his appointment highlighting Missouri's military bases, Graves has advanced through defense modernization without advocating interventionist doctrines. He voted for the 2024 , securing a 2.4% troop pay raise, border wall construction funding, and investments in tactical technologies like air and land systems to enhance deterrence. This focus prioritizes bolstering U.S. capabilities—such as oversight of sanctions to curb terrorist financing—over expansive foreign entanglements, aligning with critiques of prior administrations' perceived weaknesses in projecting strength against adversaries like and .

Social and cultural issues

Graves has maintained a consistent pro-life voting record throughout his congressional tenure, including support for legislation banning partial-birth s except to save the mother's life. He has prioritized defunding organizations like , stating in 2016 that preventing taxpayer dollars from reaching abortion providers was a key focus during appropriations processes. Ratings from pro-life groups reflect this stance, with Graves earning endorsements for votes defending the unborn and blocking federal funding for . Pro-choice organizations, such as NARAL Pro-Choice America and Action Fund, have rated him at 0%, underscoring his opposition to abortion rights expansions. On Second Amendment issues, Graves has defended gun ownership rights against restrictive measures, introducing the Protecting Gun Owners' Rights from Unjust Taxes and Fees Act in 2013 to prohibit states and municipalities from imposing new taxes or fees on firearms, , or accessories. He has opposed federal proposals, arguing they infringe on law-abiding citizens' rights without addressing root causes like urban crime, and voted against implementing certain District of Columbia firearm restrictions. The has recognized his pro-Second Amendment record, providing campaign support and endorsing him for protecting self-defense rights. Graves has expressed longstanding concerns about (DEI) initiatives within the and broader transportation agencies, advocating for merit-based hiring and operations over mandated diversity programs, which he links to potential risks in safety-critical roles. In oversight of transportation , he has criticized DEI emphases for prioritizing demographic outcomes over empirical qualifications, aligning with arguments that such policies undermine in technical fields like control. While not attributing specific incidents like the January 2025 Washington, D.C., plane crash to DEI, his committee leadership has pushed for reforms emphasizing competence and accountability in federal transportation staffing.

Electoral history

Missouri General Assembly campaigns

Graves launched his political career by winning election to the for District 4 in November 1992, defeating the incumbent Democrat in the general election as a Republican challenger from a rural farming background. His campaign centered on reducing taxes and supporting agricultural interests, aligning with the conservative leanings of northwest Missouri's rural constituencies reliant on farming and . This victory reflected strong grassroots backing in Atchison County and surrounding areas, where local donors provided key funding with minimal opposition challenges or controversies. After serving one term in the House (1993–1994), Graves successfully ran for the in District 12 in November 1994, transitioning to the upper chamber amid a Republican wave that flipped control of the . The district, encompassing rural northern counties, favored his platform prioritizing farm policy reforms and fiscal restraint, earning him recognition as the outstanding freshman legislator in during his House tenure. Graves secured re-election to the in November 1998, capturing 62.7% of the vote (31,883 votes out of 50,857) against a Democratic opponent in a competitive but non-controversial race. This strong performance underscored district alignment with his advocacy for rural economic issues and low taxes, bolstered by continued support from agricultural stakeholders and limited primary contention. His campaigns through 2000 maintained a focus on local voter mobilization without significant scandals, paving the way for his federal bid.

U.S. House of Representatives elections

Sam Graves was first elected to represent in the November 7, 2000, general election, following the death of Democratic incumbent Pat Danner in March of that year; he defeated Democrat Steve Danner with 51% of the vote (172,927 votes to 158,874). This close contest marked the transition in a then-competitive , but Graves' victory initiated a pattern of Republican entrenchment in the rural, agriculture-heavy area spanning northern . Subsequent re-elections demonstrated growing voter support, with Graves consistently capturing over 60% of the general vote amid national that favored incumbents in safe districts; primary challenges remained minimal, typically unopposed or with token opposition under 25% in Republican primaries. Margins expanded to 65% or higher by the mid-2000s and into the , underscoring the district's alignment with conservative priorities on farming, transportation, and .
YearOpponent(s)Graves VotesGraves %Total Votes
2000Steve Danner (D)172,92751%338,949
2002Connie Clark (D)216,90665%333,688
2004Charles Dunlap (D)224,73563.6%353,824
2006Sara Jo Shettles (D)156,39461.5%254,391
2008 (D)199,79665.4%305,409
2010Clint Hylton (D)144,20769.6%207,223
2012Kyle Yarber (D)216,90665%333,688
2014Bill Hedge (D)124,61666.7%186,970
2016 (D)238,38868%350,444
2018Henry Martin (D)199,79665.4%305,409
2020Gena Ross (D)258,70967.1%385,779
2022Henry Martin (D)184,86570.3%262,892
2024Pam May (D)265,21070.7%375,186
In the , Graves' victories exceeded 70% in both and , even as national Democratic spending targeted vulnerable Republicans elsewhere; the district's R+16 partisan lean, per Cook Political Report ratings, validated his sustained appeal among rural voters prioritizing local economic issues over partisan waves. Low Democratic turnout and absent competitive primaries reinforced this dominance, with Graves facing no serious intra-party threats since early cycles.

Controversies

Todd Graves U.S. Attorney dismissal

In January 2006, Todd Graves, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of and brother of Congressman Sam Graves, became the first removed in a series of dismissals by the administration's Department of . Unlike the later firings scrutinized for alleged performance failures or partisan motives in election prosecutions, Todd Graves' removal stemmed from internal Republican political pressures unrelated to those factors. Investigations by the DOJ (OPR) and concluded that Senator Kit Bond's office exerted influence to oust Graves due to a dispute over regional grants, where Todd Graves declined to favor Bond's preferences over requests aligned with his brother Sam's congressional district priorities. The conflict centered on the allocation of federal grants, including Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants and Operation Family Funds initiatives, which supported multi-jurisdictional task forces in northwest . Bond's staff sought greater control and credit for these funds, clashing with Sam Graves' office, which advocated for local recipients including entities linked to Graves family associates, such as boat dealership license contracts awarded to Sam Graves' relatives. Todd Graves, tasked with overseeing grant distributions, prioritized merit-based and congressionally directed allocations, refusing Bond's demands to intervene politically, which escalated tensions and prompted Bond aide Jared Benson to lobby and DOJ officials for Graves' resignation. While family connections invited scrutiny for potential —given Todd's appointment in 2002 following Sam Graves' endorsement—no evidence emerged of improper influence by Sam on federal grant decisions or Todd's prosecutorial duties. Subsequent probes, including the 2008 OPR report, deemed the dismissal "inappropriate" for yielding to political pressure but found no criminal , documentation of performance deficiencies, or broader conspiracy akin to claims in other firings. No charges were filed against Todd Graves, Sam Graves, or involved officials, contrasting with media portrayals that folded the incident into narratives of systemic DOJ politicization without distinguishing its intra-party origins from partisan retribution against Democrats. Todd Graves later secured appointments, including to the Board of Curators in 2021, indicating no lasting professional repercussions from substantiated wrongdoing.

Ethics investigations and resolutions

In 2009, the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) initiated an inquiry into Representative Sam Graves following allegations that he invited a with financial ties to his wife to testify before the House Small Business Committee, potentially creating an appearance of under 23 and related precedents. The OCE examined whether Graves' actions violated standards prohibiting the use of official position for personal benefit, focusing on the witness's business relationship with Graves' wife, Lesley Graves, who held investments in firms connected to the testimony topic. Despite identifying an "appearance" issue, the OCE referral to the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct concluded without evidence of a rule violation, as Graves disclosed the connections and the aligned with committee jurisdiction. The House Ethics Committee independently reviewed the matter and rebutted the OCE's assessment, determining that Graves had not breached any House rules or standards of conduct, including requirements for impartiality in committee proceedings. In its October 29, 2009, report (H. Rept. 111-320), the committee emphasized that the OCE's findings overstated the case, noting no improper influence or undisclosed benefits occurred, and closed the investigation without sanctions. Graves' office maintained the invitation was routine for expert input on energy issues, with full transparency provided. Allegations of improper hiring practices surfaced in 2005 when Democrats criticized Graves' congressional office for employing relatives of his brother, former U.S. Attorney Todd Graves, claiming potential . However, no formal OCE or probe ensued, as House rules permit hiring family members of non-immediate relatives provided no misuse of official funds or positions is involved, and Graves' disclosures complied with financial reporting standards. Critics, including partisan outlets, framed these as ethical lapses, but empirical reviews by the found no violations, attributing complaints to rather than substantiated . Graves' ethics record reflects minimal formal inquiries, with all resolved absent findings of , contrasting with broader critiques of OCE as prone to initiating probes based on appearances rather than proven breaches—a pattern noted in analyses where Democratic-led referrals outnumbered Republican ones during the period. In , Graves supported an amendment to restructure the OCE, citing its history of overreach in cases like his own, where investigations concluded without fault yet generated negative ; the proposal failed but highlighted tensions between the independent watchdog and congressional self-regulation. No subsequent travel-related probes, such as those involving campaign flights in the 2010s, advanced beyond preliminary reviews, per available records.

Recent developments and legacy

Post-2023 committee initiatives

As Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Sam Graves introduced the Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act of 2025 (H.R. 4669) on July 24, 2025, alongside bipartisan leaders to restructure the by elevating it to an independent cabinet-level entity, streamlining disaster response protocols, and modernizing assistance programs to reduce bureaucratic delays that have hindered timely aid delivery. The legislation, approved by the committee on September 3, 2025, targets systemic issues such as fragmented oversight within the Department of , which Graves argued has led to inefficient and slower recovery efforts in disasters like hurricanes and floods, prioritizing empirical improvements in and recovery over entrenched administrative inertia. Graves advocated for clean continuing resolutions to prevent government shutdowns, emphasizing the risks to and ; for instance, on September 30, 2023, he co-sponsored a three-month FAA funding extension passed by the 335-91, averting disruptions to amid ongoing reauthorization efforts. In October 2025, following a near-shutdown, Graves warned that such fiscal standoffs could delay projects and endanger frontline workers like air traffic controllers, urging passage of short-term funding measures to sustain operations without extraneous policy riders. This approach supported the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, signed into law on May 15, 2024, which allocated resources for modernizing air traffic systems and enhancing safety protocols in response to recent near-misses and controller shortages. On infrastructure, Graves secured a $92.88 million INFRA grant announced , 2024, for Missouri's Improve I-70 , reconstruction of three segments along 191 miles of the corridor to address congestion and hazards through expanded lanes and upgrades. He opposed non-essential environmental expenditures, leading committee advancement on May 2, 2025, of rescissions targeting $25 billion in unobligated transportation funds, including elimination of seven Green New Deal-linked programs deemed wasteful based on underutilization data and deficit impacts. This data-driven stance aimed to redirect savings toward core priorities like highway repairs, critiquing prior allocations for lacking measurable returns on or .

Impact on district and national policy

Graves has channeled federal resources into Missouri's 6th district infrastructure, securing $24.9 million in 2025 for widening a 14-mile segment of U.S. Route 54 to improve traffic flow and safety in rural areas. He has advocated for funding to expand Interstate 70, coordinating with state officials to address congestion on this vital corridor linking district communities to broader markets. Additional grants, such as $1.5 million for roadway enhancements in Moberly, have targeted local improvements essential for agriculture-dependent economies, enabling better access to ports and export facilities that support Missouri farm output. These efforts have unlocked matching state funds for bridge replacements, contributing to over 250 statewide projects that bolster rural connectivity and economic resilience. On the national level, as Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chair, Graves has driven legislation like the FAA Reauthorization Act, which updated aviation systems to enhance efficiency and safety without expansive new mandates. He has prioritized core rebuilding, including the Water Resources Development Act, focusing on practical advancements in highways, rivers, and ports over regulatory overreach. This approach aligns with conservative emphases on where it yields operational gains, such as streamlined oversight that maintains safety metrics amid growing freight volumes. Graves has also supported trade measures like the USMCA, which have facilitated agricultural exports by modernizing supply chains critical to districts like Missouri's. Graves's record includes backing fiscal restraint initiatives, such as the 2023 Limit, Save, Grow Act to cap debt increases and the Fiscal Responsibility Act to enforce spending controls. These positions, pursued amid past controversies, underscore a commitment to balanced budgets, with his repeated re-elections—securing over 70% of the vote in recent cycles—indicating district validation of policy outcomes favoring tangible gains over symbolic expenditures.

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