Summary
Current Position: US Representative of MO District 6 since 2001
Affiliation: Republican
District: northern Missouri, stretching across nearly the entire width of the state from Kansas to Illinois. Its largest voting population is centered in the northern portion of the Kansas City metropolitan area and the town of St. Joseph.
Upcoming Election:
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. Graves is a Baptist.
Graves was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 1992.[7] After one term, he was elected to the Missouri Senate in 1994 and reelected in 1998.
Source: Wikipedia
OnAir Post: Sam Graves MO-06
News
About
Congressman Sam Graves is a lifelong resident of Missouri’s Sixth Congressional District. As a small businessman and a sixth-generation family farmer, Sam has spent his life working to make Missouri a better place to live, work, and raise a family.
In Congress, Sam serves as the Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. As Chairman, Sam leads the Committee as it has jurisdiction over all modes of transportation – our aviation system, highways and bridges, transit and rail transportation, pipelines, and maritime and waterborne transportation. Sam’s role in transportation is critical as he works on behalf of Missouri’s 34,000 highway miles and 10,400 bridges in need of maintenance and repair as well as the 6th Congressional District’s two major rivers – the Missouri and the Mississippi.
Sam is also a member of the House Committee on Armed Services. Missouri has a $15 billion military footprint and plays a critical role in ensuring our troops have the resources they need. Sam remains determined to protect Missouri’s various military installations and all of the brave men and women who serve in uniform.
Congressman Graves was born in Tarkio, Missouri on November 7, 1963. He graduated from Tarkio High School in 1982 and attended college at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he received his degree in Agronomy from the School of Agriculture.
In 1992, Sam won his first race for State Representative. In 1994, he was elected State Senator for the 12th Senatorial District and was subsequently re-elected in 1998.
Sam’s leadership has been recognized by organizations like the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, the Missouri Farm Bureau, the Missouri Hospital Association and the National Federation of Independent Businesses. As a father, grandfather, farmer, businessman, and former State legislator, Sam knows the values, hopes, and beliefs of the hard-working people of the Sixth District, and continues to work tirelessly for Missouri families in the United States House of Representatives.
Personal
Full Name: Samuel ‘Sam’ B. Graves
Gender: Male
Family: 3 Children: Megan, Trey, Emily
Birth Date: 11/07/1963
Birth Place: Tarkio, MO
Home City: Tarkio, MO
Religion: Baptist
Source: Vote Smart
Education
BS, Agronomy, School of Agriculture, University of Missouri at Columbia, 1986
Political Experience
Representative, United States House of Representatives, Missouri, District 6, 2001-present
Candidate, United States House of Representatives, Missouri, District 6, 2022
Senator, Missouri State Senate, 1994-2000
Representative, Missouri State House of Representatives, 1992-1994
Professional Experience
Owner/Operator, Graves Family Farms, 1986-present
Airline Transport Pilot, Graves Aviation
Offices
WASHINGTON DC OFFICE
1135 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515Phone: (202) 225-7041
Fax: (202) 225-8221
HANNIBAL DISTRICT OFFICE
6079 Co Rd 425
PO Box 364
Hannibal, MO 63401Phone: (573) 221-3400
KANSAS CITY DISTRICT OFFICE
12200 North Ambassador Dr
Suite 234
Kansas City, MO 64163Phone: (816) 792-3976
Fax: (816) 792-0694
ST. JOSEPH DISTRICT OFFICE
411 Jules Street
Room 111
St. Joseph, MO 64501Phone: (816) 749-0800
Fax: (816) 749-0801
TROY DISTRICT OFFICE
201 Main St, Rm 50
Troy, MO 63379Phone: (636) 622-7106
Contact
Email: Government Page
Web Links
Politics
Source: none
Finances
Source: Vote Smart
Committees
Member, Armed Services Committee
Chair, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Member, Subcommittee on Aviation
Member, Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation
Member, Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management
Member, Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
Member, Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials
Member, Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces
Member, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
New Legislation
Sponsored and Cosponsored
Issues
Source: Government page
Fiscal Discipline
Washington’s problem is not that it taxes too little; it’s that it spends too much. Congress, just like every family in America, must learn to budget properly and live within its means. I will continue to push for fiscal discipline and work to rein in Washington’s out of control spending. I have always supported a balanced budget amendment and have authored conservative reforms to limit waste and abuse of food stamp and disability programs that would save our country billions of dollars a year.
Taxes
For too long, the U.S. tax code was overly burdensome. It takes the average small business 37 hours to do their taxes. That’s time and money they should be able to spend growing the business.
That’s why I was proud to vote for one of the most critical pieces of tax reform legislation in a generation which President Trump signed into law.
Our tax cuts package cut taxes for almost everyone, doubled the standard deduction, and increased the child tax credit, strengthening the middle class and helping build a stronger America. Now, most folks can fill out their taxes on a postcard-sized document.
We also cut taxes for the job creators allowing them to grow their business, hire more employees, and give raises and bonus. The effects of this are being seen across Missouri as the economy continues to boom.
While I believe our historic tax reform package will go a long way towards making a better tax code, I am still a co-sponsor and consistent supporter of the Fair-Tax, which would replace the current progressive income tax with a national sales tax. The benefit of the Fair-Tax is that it taxes most individuals at a lower rate than the income tax. It also only taxes the goods and services you purchase, encourages saving, and produces similar revenue to the current code, just in a much simpler manner. Most importantly, it would mean the end of the corrupt IRS that has been used as a political tool to intimidate businesses and individuals.
Jobs
The federal government does not exist to create jobs. In fact, every new job it does “create” is paid for by American taxpayers. What Washington should be doing is cutting taxes and limiting harmful regulations. If that happens, businesses – especially small businesses – will once again begin to expand, hire and thrive.
During my time as Chairman of the House Small Business Committee, I made job creation my top priority. America’s small businesses create 70% of all new jobs. Removing the fear of new taxes and regulations is the key to growing our economy. Government can’t create jobs, but it can create an environment where all of us have the opportunity to prosper and succeed.
National Defense
I have always been a vocal proponent for a strong national defense. Under our Constitution, the federal government’s top responsibility is to protect this nation from our enemies. While we certainly need to cut spending at the national level, it is wrong to make the Department of Defense bear the brunt of these cuts as we continue to fight a global War on Terrorism.
As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I will continue to push for a robust national defense. We currently have the most well-trained soldiers, sailors and Marines; the most technologically advanced weapons systems; and the best all-around military in the world. However, maintaining our forces requires constant development and vigilance. I will make sure our fighting men and women have everything they need to carry out their missions.
Agriculture
I’m proud to be a family farmer. Our family continues to operate our corn and soy farm in North Missouri, so I know first-hand how difficult it can be to make your living from the land. Yet, America’s farmers and agricultural sector are far and away the best in the world. Our bountiful harvests feed our countrymen and hundreds of millions around the world. Without our farmers, Americans from coast-to-coast would not enjoy the high standard of living we’ve come to expect in America.
I have supported numerous pieces of legislation designed to help farmers compete in global markets, maintain their exceptional levels of productivity, and recover from the natural disasters that Mother Nature throws at us from time to time. I will continue to fight for North Missouri’s farmers in Congress.
I have also led the charge against the EPA’s Washington-knows-best mentality, introducing legislation to block the agency’s misguided regulation and pushing back against the Waters of the U.S. rule that this farmers the hardest. It is obvious that no one at the EPA knows what it means to be a farmer in Middle America. It’s my job to set them straight.
Energy
I believe we must continue to develop and consider all forms of energy in order to continue reducing our reliance on foreign oil. America is home to a diverse energy sector. We see that first hand in North Missouri.
For our economy to truly recover, we will need to continue to tap into both American resources and innovation in the energy field. We must increase our production of all other types of renewable energy and maintain high levels of domestic energy production. North Missouri’s farmers are leading the way. I will work to make sure they continue to do so.
Health Care
The government’s takeover of our health care system must not be allowed to stand. Not a week goes by without hearing more stories about how the 2,000 page law will cost more than we were told, cover fewer people than we were promised, and significantly increase taxes and fees on average Americans and small businesses. We must repeal this bad piece of legislation and replace it with reforms that will expand coverage while lowering costs.
For example, we should let small businesses group together to buy coverage at rates similar to what large corporations pay. Those policies should operate across state lines so insurance companies are forced to lower rates to compete for business. And policies should be portable, following an individual from job-to-job so insurance companies have a stake in making sure their clients stay healthy.
Part of my healthcare responsibility is also ensuring that tax dollars are not used to fund abortions. I have supported various bills and policies to defund Planned Parenthood, and will also do whatever possible to defend life.
Values
I believe that we should protect the lives of the unborn under all but the direst of circumstances. As your Congressman, I will continue the fight to keep life sacred.
Gun Rights
The founding fathers were very clear in their intent when they wrote the Second Amendment to the Constitution. They believed that each law-abiding American citizen had the right to own and maintain firearms in order to defend themselves and their families from those who would do them harm.
As a gun owner, I will continue to do everything I can to protect the 2nd Amendment.
More Information
Wikipedia
Source: Government page
Wikipedia
Source: Wikipedia
Missouri’s 6th congressional district takes in a large swath of land in northern Missouri, stretching across nearly the entire width of the state from Kansas to Illinois. Its largest voting population is centered in the northern portion of the Kansas City metropolitan area and the town of St. Joseph. The district includes much of Kansas City north of the Missouri River (including Kansas City International Airport).
Rep. Graves (left) with George W. Bush at the Ford Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri. March, 2007.
The district takes in all or parts of the following counties: Adair, Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Caldwell, Carroll, Chariton, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Daviess, De Kalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Jackson, Knox, Lewis, Lincoln, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Marion, Mercer, Monroe, Nodaway, Pike, Platte, Putnam, Ralls, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby, Sullivan, Worth.
Notable representatives from the district include governors John Smith Phelps and Austin A. King as well as Kansas City Mayor Robert T. Van Horn. In 1976, Jerry Litton was killed on election night as he flew to a victory party after winning the Democratic nomination for United States Senate. The visitors center at Smithville Lake is named in Litton’s memory. Democrat Pat Danner, a former aide to Jerry Litton, won the seat in 1992 becoming the first woman to be elected in the district defeating a 16-year Republican incumbent.
Wikipedia
Wikipedia
Samuel Bruce Graves Jr. (born November 7, 1963) is an American politician serving as the United States representative for Missouri's 6th congressional district, serving since 2001. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district stretches across most of the northern third of the state, from the Kansas border to the Illinois border. The bulk of its population lives in the northern part of the Kansas City area, including the northern fourth of Kansas City. Graves is the dean of Missouri's congressional delegation.
Early life, education, and career
Graves is a lifelong resident of Tarkio, a small city in Missouri's northwestern corner, not far from the Iowa and Nebraska borders.[1] He is the son of Janice A. (née Hord) and Samuel Bruce Graves. He graduated from the University of Missouri College of Agriculture with a degree in agronomy.[1] He was a member of the Alpha Gamma Sigma fraternity.[2]
Personal life
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.[3][4][5] Graves is a Baptist.[6]
Missouri legislature
Graves was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 1992.[7] After one term, he was elected to the Missouri Senate in 1994 and reelected in 1998.[1]
U.S. House of Representatives
Committee assignments
- Committee on Armed Services
- Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (Chair)
- As Chair of the Committee, Rep. Graves is entitled to sit as an ex officio member in any subcommittee meeting per the committee's rules.
Caucus memberships
- Congressional Cement Caucus
- Congressional Coalition on Adoption[8]
Political positions
Financial bailouts
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."[9] 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.[10] 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.[11]
Israel
Graves voted to support Israel following the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[12][13]
Todd Graves controversy
Graves is the brother of Todd Graves, former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri.[14] In October 2008, U.S. Senator Kit Bond apologized to Todd Graves after a U.S. Justice Department report cited Bond forcing Graves out over a disagreement with Representative Graves.[14] Following the report, U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey appointed a special prosecutor to investigate whether former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and other officials involved in the firings of nine U.S. attorneys broke the law (dismissal of U.S. attorneys controversy).[15]
Ethics investigation
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."[16] 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."[17] 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.[18][19]
Political campaigns
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.
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,[20] largely by running up huge margins in the district's rural areas. He was arguably helped by George W. Bush carrying the district in the 2000 presidential election, a theory known as the coattail effect.[citation needed]
1992
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sam Graves | 7,837 | 56.48% | |
| Democratic | Everett W. Brown | 6,038 | 43.52% | |
| Total votes | 13,875 | 100% | ||
1994
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sam Graves | 35,221 | 60.61% | |
| Democratic | Doug R. Hughes | 22,888 | 39.31% | |
| Total votes | 58,109 | 100% | ||
1998
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sam Graves | 31,883 | 62.69% | |
| Democratic | Beth M. Wheeler | 18,974 | 37.31% | |
| Total votes | 50,857 | 100% | ||
2000
| 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
| 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
108th Congress
| 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
| 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
Graves faced a tougher reelection race in 2008 against the Democratic nominee, former Kansas City Mayor Kay Barnes. He gained national attention early in the race for running an ad accusing Barnes of promoting "San Francisco values." It was initially considered one of the most competitive races in the country,[citation needed] but Graves was reelected handily, with 59% of the vote to Barnes's 37%.
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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 | |
References
- ^ a b c "Meet Sam". Congressman Sam Graves. December 3, 2012. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
- ^ "Greek Political Leaders | North-American Interfraternity Conference". nicindy.org. Archived from the original on September 13, 2017. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
- ^ "AOPA Q&A with US Rep. Sam Graves". aopa.org. March 6, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
- ^ Matthew Murray (November 6, 2007). "Federal Cash Rebuilds Airstrip Near Graves' Land - Roll Call". Roll Call. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
- ^ Shiner, Linda (March 2014). "Aviation's Man in Washington". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
- ^ "Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress" (PDF). PEW Research Center. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - MO State House 004 Race - Nov 03, 1992". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
- ^ "Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute".
- ^ "Graves, Boyda vote against $700B bailout in the U.S. House". The News-Press. September 30, 2008. Archived from the original on September 30, 2008. Retrieved May 17, 2007.
- ^ "Graves proposes changes to military family health coverage" Archived March 1, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Ripon Advance. 1/31/14. Retrieved 2/7/14.
- ^ "Check out Representative Sam Graves's Environmental Voting Record". February 17, 2021.
- ^ Demirjian, Karoun (October 25, 2023). "House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (October 25, 2023). "Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ a b "Kit Bond apologizes for staff's role in firing of federal prosecutor". The News Leader. September 30, 2008. Retrieved May 17, 2007. [dead link]
- ^ "Prosecutor will investigate firings of nine U.S. Attorneys". The Miami Herald. September 29, 2008. Retrieved May 17, 2007.[dead link]
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ Margasak, Larry (September 16, 2009). "Ethics panel defers probe on Jesse Jackson Jr". Associated Press. Retrieved September 16, 2009.[dead link]
- ^ Larry Margasak [2] Congressional ethics report leaked, reveals names LARRY MARGASAK, October 30, 2009 Associated Press
- ^ "Campaign Legal Center blog: Fault Ethics Committee, Not OCE". Clcblog.org. November 20, 2009. Archived from the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
- ^ "Missouri Secretary of State". Sos.mo.gov. Archived from the original on October 30, 2014. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
External links
- Congressman Sam Graves official U.S. House website
- Sam Graves for Congress
- Sam Graves at Curlie
- Appearances on C-SPAN
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
- Profile at Vote Smart
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