Sam Graves

In the 2000 election, Sam Graves was elected to represent Missouri's 6th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. Before his congressional career, Graves served in the Missouri House of Representatives and the Missouri Senate. His victory in the 2000 election marked the beginning of his long tenure in the House, where he has been an advocate for agricultural policies, rural development, and transportation infrastructure.

Sam Graves was sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives on January 3, 2001, officially commencing his term as the representative for Missouri's 6th congressional district. He succeeded Pat Danner and immediately began working on issues important to his constituents, including agriculture and rural development. As a freshman congressman, Graves focused on establishing himself within the key committees and legislative processes while advocating for policies that benefited his district.

On November 7, 2006, Sam Graves was re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for his sixth term representing Missouri's 6th district. This election solidified his standing as a key political figure in Missouri, as he continued to focus on issues such as agriculture, rural development, and veterans' affairs. Graves' ongoing tenure in Congress allowed him to influence significant legislative discussions and contribute to long-term policy initiatives within his district.

Sam Graves was appointed as the Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee on January 3, 2008. In this role, he was responsible for taking the lead on minority party issues concerning small businesses. He used his position to highlight the challenges faced by small business owners, advocating for policies that would protect their interests from the impacts of over-regulation and economic instability, which he believed hindered their growth and success.

In December 2012, Sam Graves was appointed as the chairman of the House Small Business Committee for the 113th Congress. As chairman, Graves focused on advancing policies that would aid small business growth, including reducing regulatory burdens and improving access to capital. Under his leadership, the committee worked on bipartisan efforts to support small businesses, which are a critical component of the U.S. economy.

On July 10, 2013, Sam Graves introduced the 'Stop the EPA Act', a bill aimed at significantly reforming how the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issues regulations. The bill proposed to halt new regulations from the EPA until economic analyses proved their necessity and economic justification. Graves argued that the EPA's regulations were burdensome for small businesses and detrimental to economic growth. The bill reflected his broader efforts to reduce federal regulatory impact on businesses.

On February 5, 2014, Sam Graves chaired a committee hearing titled 'Reducing Red Tape', focused on eliminating regulatory burdens that small businesses face. The hearing examined the impacts of federal regulations on small businesses and explored legislative solutions to create a more streamlined regulatory environment. Graves emphasized the need for a balanced approach that would protect consumers while ensuring that regulations do not unnecessarily hinder small business operations.

On September 26, 2018, Sam Graves, as a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, voiced criticism regarding the procedures of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Graves pointed out inefficiencies in the agency's rulemaking processes, particularly related to the integration of drones into national airspace. His criticism aimed at prompting reforms that would encourage technological advancements in aviation while maintaining safety and efficiency standards.

In January 2020, Sam Graves was named the Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. As Ranking Member, he played a significant role in shaping discussion and policy on critical infrastructure issues in the United States. Graves focused on promoting improvements to the nation's transportation systems, including airports, highways, and public transit. He emphasized the importance of investing in infrastructure to support economic growth and competitiveness.

On April 14, 2021, Sam Graves introduced the 'Resilient AMERICA Act', which aimed to improve the nation's disaster resilience. The act proposed measures to enhance pre-disaster mitigation funding and incentivize communities to adopt resilient building codes and infrastructure. Graves highlighted the importance of preparation and resilience in mitigating the impacts of natural disasters, an increasingly critical issue as climate change leads to more frequent and severe weather events.