Opinion -- Graves Fights for North Missouri in Defense Bill

By Congressman Sam Graves Office

Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, delivered important wins for North Missouri in the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed the House Armed Services Committee on June 5, 2026.

“As threats around the world continue to increase, we have to give our warfighters the tools and resources they need to successfully defend our country,” said Graves. “Peace through strength requires increasing production of critical weapons, developing the workforce needed to produce them and investing in our military. This year’s defense bill does that right here in North Missouri, providing more capability for the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence and making critical upgrades at the 139th Airlift Wing in St. Joe so they can continue working towards getting the C-130J models.”

Wins for North Missouri:

—$900 million for procuring 8 C-130Js that could potentially be based at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base.

—$63 million authorization for an aircraft parking apron at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base.

—Includes C-130 fleet protections through FY28, including the minimum inventory requirement and the prohibition on reducing Air National Guard C-130 aircraft.

—Advocates for Joint Maritime Over-Water Training at Rosecrans building on the 139th Airlift Wing’s expertise in advanced tactics

—Fosters development of an Advanced Mobility Tactics and Survivability Center to be based at Rosecrans leveraging their experienced with the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center.

—$20 million for C-130J simulator procurement.

—Nearly $900 million for small arms ammunition produced or will be produced at Lake City Army Ammunition Plant.

—$2.4 billion for the munitions industrial base, including facilities like Lake City Army Ammunition Plant.

Wins for Missouri:

—Requires the Department of War to review and fix barriers that prevent Missouri military families from enrolling children in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System when their custody paperwork is valid under Missouri law

—$2.2 billion for procurement of B-21 long-range bombers, which will be based at Whiteman Air Force Base

—Support for the F-15EX II and T-7 Red Hawk and authorization for F-15 EX II multi-year procurement, both manufactured in St. Louis.

—$770 million to manufacture MQ-25 Stingrays manufactured in St. Louis.

—$563 million to modernize and sustain F/A-18E/Fs and EA-18Gs manufactured in St. Louis.

—$170 million for military construction at Whiteman Air Force Base to support the B-21 bomber.

—Expands U.S. production capacity, unleashes private sector investment, opens the door to new and innovative entrants, reduces needless regulations, and creates thousands of skilled jobs for Missourians.

Wins for Our Troops:

—$40 million for mobility aircraft connectivity increasing safety of aircrews operating in hostile environments. These crews are trained by the experts at the Rosecrans Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center.

—Delivers a hard-earned 5-7 percent pay raise for our service members and expands military bonuses and special pay.

—Strengthens oversight and funding for revitalization of military housing and barracks.

—Includes the National Guard Relief Foundation as a Military Welfare Society to bring parity in services to our National Guard members.

The FY2027 NDAA now heads to the House floor for further consideration.

Opinion -- Graves Bill Creates Tuition Assistance for Air Guard Members

By Congressman Sam Graves Office

Congressmen Sam Graves (MO-06), Brad Finstad (MN-01), and Eric Sorenson (IL-17), introduced the Air Guard Standardizing Tuition Assistance to Unify the Services (STATUS) Act, bipartisan legislation that requires the Secretary of the Air Force to provide a permanent federal tuition assistance program for drill status guard (DSG) members of the Air National Guard (ANG). 

This tuition assistance program would be consistent with the program already available to the Army National Guard. The legislation is supported by the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS). 

"The Air Guard STATUS Act is about finally closing a gap that should’ve never existed. It gives Air National Guard members the same federal tuition assistance the Army National Guard already receives, helping recruit, retain, and take care of the Airmen who keep our communities and our country safe. We value their service and investing in their education is one of the clearest ways to show it,” said Rep. Graves. 

“I’m proud to join Reps. Sorensen and Graves in introducing the Air Guard STATUS Act, which will deliver much needed educational assistance to the brave men and women serving in the Air National Guard and create parity with the benefits afforded to the Army National Guard. This legislation will ensure deserved benefits and recognition reach all DSG members of the National Guard who have answered the call to serve our great nation,” said Rep. Finstad. 

“Our Airmen proudly serve our communities and our country, and they should have equal access to education benefits no matter where they live,” said Congressman Sorensen. “I am proud to stand alongside Reps. Finstad and Graves to make sure we invest in our Air National Guard members across the country.”

 

Opinion -- Graves Applauds Proposed Rule to Define Waters of the US

By Congressman Sam Graves’ office

Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06), Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Monday commended the Trump Administration for its proposed rule to define Waters of the United States (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act (CWA) in a manner that will provide much needed clarity and regulatory certainty for farmers, businesses, infrastructure builders, and communities throughout the United States. 

The Administration’s WOTUS rule, developed by the Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Army Corps of Engineers, aligns with the Supreme Court’s 2023 Sackett decision, which appropriately recognized that there are reasonable limits to the federal government’s regulatory authority under the CWA.  

Monday’s announcement follows previous efforts by the Biden Administration to dramatically expand federal regulatory power under the law, and it provides much-needed durability to defining what waters are and are not subject to federal regulation under the CWA.

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (MO-06) said, “This action by the Trump Administration is a victory for common sense. Farmers, infrastructure builders, small businesses, manufacturers, home builders, local communities, and property owners will be able to function under a more reasonable regulatory environment without having to worry about the federal government constantly breathing down their necks. We can and will continue to ensure water quality throughout our nation under the Clean Water Act, but this proposed rule also protects the rights of states, individuals, and businesses to produce our food and goods, build infrastructure projects, and grow the economy.”

 

Graves Presents Service Medals to WW2 Vet’s Family

Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) presented military service medals that he was able to recover to the family of a Chariton County veteran. Graves presented medals to the family of Marvin William Speiser for his role in WWII. Mr. Speiser served in the US Army Air Corps as an aerial gunner, beginning in 1943. Mr. Speiser passed away in 2022. 

His military service records were lost in a fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis in 1973. However, Graves was able to obtain several medals for his service. 

“I’m grateful for the service of North Missouri veterans," said Graves. “As we celebrated Veteran’s Day this week, it was an honor to present these medals to Mr. Speiser's family so they can always remember his service to our nation."

​Congressman Graves presented the Air Medal & Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster (Quadruple), WWII Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal & Bronze Star Attachment (Triple), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Marksman Badge & Pistol Bar, and the Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII to Speiser’s family members including his daughter, Sheila Baker of Lathrop, and his son Beryl Speiser of Lawson, along with several grandchildren and friends. 

Veterans or their family members are encouraged to reach out to Graves' office if they are trying to obtain service medals that they earned. Graves office is also able to assist if there is an issue accessing Veterans Affairs benefits.  Anyone in need of assistance can call 816-792-3976.

 

Opinion -- Missouri Lawmakers Champion Access to Rural Healthcare

By Congressman Sam Graves’ Office

Congressional Republicans and President Trump recently delivered critical resources to rural communities in Missouri and across the United States that have long struggled to establish access to basic health care services. Under the new tax cuts for working families law, a $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) was created to help expand access to care in rural communities. States can apply for funding to help improve and sustain access to quality health care services and care delivery systems for such communities while recruiting and retaining a rural clinical workforce.

In a letter sent to Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, Missouri Department of Social Services Director Jessica Bax, and Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Director Sarah Willson highlighting the RHTP program as a critical lifeline for rural Missouri and calling on officials to incorporate key policies in their application for RHTP resources, Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06), Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) and members of the Missouri congressional delegation detail the immense health care challenges facing such communities:

“For the 20 percent of Americans – 60 million in total – that live in rural communities, insufficient access to health care is a daily crisis and contributes to worse health outcomes. These patients are often forced to drive an hour or more for basic medical services and face critical barriers when trying to receive specialized services such as oncology or maternity and obstetric care. The inability to directly and efficiently access care is devastating to rural communities across the country. It is unsurprising that rural patient cancer mortality is 13 percent higher than that of urban patients; that rural maternal mortality is twice as high as urban maternal mortality; and that rural mortality overall is 43 percent higher than urban mortality across natural causes. Access challenges are worsened when rural communities lose these critical service lines, or worse, their entire hospital facilities. Missouri has had 12 rural hospitals close in the past decade, reducing access to care for thousands of Missourians. Nationwide, nearly 200 rural hospitals have closed in that timeframe, while more than 100 rural hospitals have stopped providing maternity services in just the last five years. Nearly 400 rural hospitals have stopped providing chemotherapy services since 2014. We are committed to identifying the root causes of rural America’s health care access problem and engaging in meaningful solutions, such as the RHTP, to improve health care for the 60 million American families that need it most.”

 

 

Graves Presents Service Medals to WW2 Vet’s Family

Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) presented military service medals that he was able to recover to the family of a Northwest Missouri veteran. Graves presented medals to the family of William Edgar Taul for his role in WWII. Mr. Taul served in the US Army, beginning in 1944. His military service records were lost in a fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis in 1973. However, Graves was able to obtain several medals for his service. 

“I’m grateful for all of our veterans in North Missouri," said Graves. “It’s an honor to be able to present these medals to Mr. Taul’s family so they can always remember his service to our nation."

Congressman Graves presented the Bronze Star Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge 1st Award, and the Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII to Taul’s family members including his grandson, Ryan Wright, his daughter Peggy Boulware, and his son in law Barry Boulware. 

Veterans or their family members are encouraged to reach out to Graves' office if they are trying to obtain service medals that they earned. Graves office is also able to assist if there is an issue accessing Veterans Affairs benefits.  Anyone in need of assistance can call 816-792-3976.

 

Opinion -- Graves Bill Would Amend Rails to Trails Program

 

By Cong. Sam Graves Office

Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) introduced the Rails to Trails Landowner Rights Act today. The bill strengthens landowner rights to stop federal land seizures.

“Our right to own property, to farm, and to provide for our families is sacred,” said Graves. “The Founding Fathers sought to protect landowners from government land grabs with the Fifth Amendment. Sadly, Washington bureaucrats don’t seem to miss an opportunity to go after our rights. They’ve got to be held accountable so we can protect landowner rights and stop these federal land grabs.”

The Rails to Trails Landowner Rights Act reigns in the Surface Transportation Board’s Rails to Trails program, which allows the federal government to take former railroad corridors and give those corridors to third parties for use as recreational trails. This broken process violates the constitutional rights of landowners and unfairly cuts them out of the process. Graves’ legislation would require trail sponsors to get sign off from all impacted landowners and fully compensate landowners when a project moves forward.

The Rails to Trails Landowner Rights Act is cosponsored by Reps. Virginia Foxx (NC-05), Ann Wagner (MO-02), Mark Alford (MO-04), Harriet Hageman (WY-AL), and Bob Onder (MO-03). 

What They Are Saying:

Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins:

“Missouri Farm Bureau has long stood up for the rights of property owners, and we remain concerned about the impact of the federal Rails to Trails program, which can convert unused rail corridors into public trails without the consent of those who own the land. Safeguarding private property rights is fundamental to our mission. We commend Chairman Graves for his unwavering commitment to ensuring landowners have a voice in these decisions. As this legislation moves forward, we are eager to collaborate with Chairman Graves, his colleagues in Congress, and an expanding coalition of supporters who share our dedication to protecting property rights and finding common ground on this important issue.”

 

Graves, Budzinski Introduce Save Rural Hospitals Act

Congressman Sam Graves (R-MO) and Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-IL) reintroduced the bipartisan Save America’s Rural Hospitals Act to help struggling rural hospitals stay open and continue serving their communities. Rising costs and falling Medicare reimbursement rates have pushed many to the brink—this bill gives them the lifeline they need.

“Falling Medicare reimbursement rates have been hammering rural hospitals for years,” said Congressman Graves. “In the last 15 years, more than 150 rural hospitals have closed, and hundreds more are at risk. When these hospitals shut down, families lose access to care, good-paying jobs disappear, and entire communities suffer. I’m proud to reintroduce this bipartisan bill to make commonsense reforms, keep rural hospitals open, and ensure folks can get the care they need without having to drive hours to find it.”

“Rural hospitals are a lifeline for the folks they serve. But with healthcare costs rising and outdated Medicare repayment rules, many have been forced to close their doors,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “The Save America’s Rural Hospitals Act offers a real solution to help rural hospitals become more financially solvent so they can continue to serve our communities. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Congressman Graves to make sure that every American can access quality care - no matter where they live."

Since 2010, more than 150 rural hospitals across the country have closed their doors—forcing patients to travel further to get the care they need and leaving others to put off necessary healthcare. Today, 453 rural hospitals are currently operating at levels similar to those that have shut down over the last decade.

The Save America’s Rural Hospitals Act will reverse this dangerous trend by:

• Eliminating Medicare sequestration for rural hospitals,

• Making Medicare telehealth service enhancements permanent for Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics, and

• Making permanent increased Medicare payments for rural ground ambulance services.

 

Josh Smead Running for 6th District Congress

Josh Smead, a Democrat, has thrown his hat in the ring against 6th District incumbent Sam Graves. He was born and raised in Harrisonburg (VA) and moved to Missouri in 2017.

In his bio page, he wrote, “Missouri has played a key role in American history, from its place in westward expansion to its deep-rooted values of hard work, resilience, independence, and patriotism. I love living in a state where people believe in personal responsibility, taking care of their neighbors, and expecting results. The ‘Show Me’ mindset is real—Missourians want action and accountability. As a father and business owner, I appreciate the opportunities this state provides to build a future, raise a family, and contribute to something much greater than myself. My hope is that we can all agree on protecting these values, honoring our history, and making Missouri an even better place for future generations.”

He promised to travel across the district over the next year to meet with people. He has a Facebook page and YouTube channel that is critical of Graves and his votes, particularly his support of President Donald Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” that passed the House by one vote.

He has an extensive policy section on his website. The Grain Belt Express has come under withering fire from Missouri legislators and Senator Josh Hawley, but Smead says it offers stable, low-cost power delivered to dozens of Missouri communities while strengthening the grid against blackouts and extreme weather. He is pro-choice, saying that Missourians deserve sovereignty over their own bodies, not career politicians in Jefferson City and DC. He pledged to protect family farms, expand access to markets, and support sustainable practices.

 

Graves, Cleaver Introduce Resolution Honoring Teachers

In honor of National Teacher Appreciation Week, U.S. Representatives Sam Graves (R-MO) and Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives to recognize the dedication and lasting impact of America’s teachers. This bipartisan resolution highlights the important role that teachers play in shaping the next generation to become productive, responsible, and successful citizens, and encourages every American to show appreciation for the teachers in their life. 

“Our dedicated teachers go above and beyond to ensure that our children have the best possible education,” said Congressman Graves. “They show up every day to help students succeed, learn, and grow. I’ve been lucky to learn from great teachers throughout my life, and I’ve seen the same impact on my kids and grandkids. Thank you to all of America’s teachers. During Teacher Appreciation Week and every week, we thank the educators who shape our communities and help prepare our children for a successful future.”

“America’s teachers play an invaluable role in shaping our children, and the future of the country, into the resilient, intelligent, and morally virtuous individuals we expect them to become,” said Congressman Cleaver. “During Teacher Appreciation Week, I’m proud to join my friend Sam Graves in introducing this bipartisan resolution to formally recognize the important work educators do in Missouri and all across this great nation. On behalf of the communities we represent and from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your service.”

The bipartisan resolution is cosponsored by Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN), Ed Case (D-HI), and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR).

The resolution reads as follows:

Whereas education and knowledge are the foundation of the current and future strength of the United States;

Whereas teachers and other education staff have earned and deserve the respect of their students and communities for their selfless dedication to community service and the futures of the children of the United States;

Whereas the purposes of National Teacher Appreciation Week, celebrated from May 5, 2025, through May 9, 2025, are—

(1) to raise public awareness of the unquantifiable contributions of teachers; and

(2) to promote greater respect and understanding for the teaching profession; and

Whereas students, schools, communities, and a number of organizations representing educators are recognizing the importance of teachers during National Teacher Appreciation Week: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) thanks elementary and secondary school teachers of the United States; and

(2) promotes the profession of teaching and the contributions of educators by encouraging students, parents, school administrators, and public officials to recognize National Teacher Appreciation Week.

 

Congressman Sam Graves -- Bill Would Modernize Transportation, Cut Waste

By Congressman Sam Graves’ Office

The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, led by Chairman Sam Graves (MO-06), approved its budget reconciliation proposal to secure the border, support President Trump’s national security agenda, and modernize America’s air traffic control system. These investments will be more than offset by slashing funding for Green New Deal style programs, requiring electric vehicles (EVs) begin paying for their use of the highway system just like other highway users, and other deficit reduction measures. The T&I Committee will now send its proposal, which reduces the deficit by more than $10 billion, to the House Budget Committee.

“The Committee took decisive action in support of the President’s America First agenda,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (MO-06). “My bill cuts wasteful Green New Deal spending and ensures that electric vehicles finally start paying for the maintenance of our roads and bridges. We also approved historic investments in the United States Coast Guard to strengthen our national and border security, and we took equally important strides towards finally modernizing the nation’s outdated air traffic control system. ”

Chairman Graves’ proposal would reduce federal spending and deficits by rescinding unobligated funds and eliminating seven unnecessary Green New Deal style programs created in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Those programs include the Neighborhood Access and Equity Grants, Environmental Review Implementation Funds, and Low-Carbon Transportation Materials Grants under the Federal Highway Administration, among others. 

The proposal ensures that electric vehicles pay to fix our roads and bridges like other vehicles. The Highway Trust Fund (HTF) is funded by user-fees. However, since EVs do not use gas, they do not pay the user fee, and this inequity contributes to a growing shortfall in the funds to repair roads and bridges across the country.

Chairman Graves proposal provides additional investments in the U.S. Coast Guard to protect national security and secure our maritime borders. It gives the Coast Guard the tools it needs to better protect our borders, stopping illegal immigrants and drugs from entering the country, and protect our national and economic security in the Arctic, where competitors such as China and Russia are aggressively expanding their activities.

It also invests in the improved safety and reliability of America’s air traffic control (ATC) system, replacing outdated ATC technology, modernizing the ATC system, and enhancing the hiring of air traffic controllers following several aviation tragedies in recent months, which are priorities of the President and DOT Secretary Duffy.

 

Graves, Mann Introduce Energy Legislation

by Congressman Sam Graves Office

Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) and Rep. Tracey Mann (KS-01) have introduced legislation to help provide stable energy rates and a reliable energy grid to states in the Southwestern Power Administration (SWPA), including Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.

 

“Missouri’s rural electric cooperatives and municipal utilities have worked with the Southwestern Power Administration (SWPA) to provide affordable and reliable electricity to Missouri families for over 80 years,” said Rep. Graves. “But the way SWPA is set up, droughts and other disruptions can cause rate spikes that are passed on to co-ops and municipalities that have no choice but to increase electric rates on Missouri families. This common sense legislation creates a revolving fund to fix that problem—giving SWPA the stable funding necessary to avoid costly rate spikes, and lower customer rates.”

 

“For more than eight decades, the Southwestern Power Administration has allowed rural electric cooperatives and municipal utilities to provide reliable, affordable energy to Kansans,” said Rep. Mann. “Under the current funding structure, SWPA has not had the flexibility to make necessary investments into their infrastructure. As a result, when natural disasters and bad weather limit the Administration’s ability to produce power, replacement power has to be purchased, and that cost is absorbed by everyday Kansans. Establishing a revolving fund for SWPA ensures that they can continue to invest in their infrastructure while providing safe, reliable, and affordable energy to Kansas families and rural communities like those in the Big First.”

 

The SWPA, part of the Department of Energy, markets power produced by federal hydropower projects, including Clarence Cannon Dam and Harry S. Truman Dam, to electric cooperatives and municipal utilities in Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. The Southwestern Power Administration Fund Establishment Act would give the SWPA the authority to operate on a self-funding, revolving Treasury fund to help provide long-term stability to SWPA. This would provide the certainty and stable funding SWPA needs to avoid drastic and unnecessary spikes in power rates charged to electric cooperatives and municipal utilities in an extreme or multi-year regional drought.

 

The Southwestern Power Administration Fund Establishment Act is supported by the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, Missouri Public Utilities Association, Southwestern Power Resources Association, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and American Public Power Association.

 

“Missouri’s rural electric cooperatives thank Congressman Graves for leading this effort to provide more reliable and affordable electricity for Missouri families. When no one else would, Missouri’s electric cooperatives answered the call to provide power to every farm and every home in every corner of this state. Now, this bill ensures we can keep providing affordable, reliable electric service to Missouri families for decades to come.” – Caleb Jones, CEO/Executive Vice President of the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives

 

“MPUA commends Congressman Graves for championing this forward-thinking legislation, which preserves Missouri’s legacy of affordable, renewable energy, while strengthening its future. The Southwestern Power Administration Fund Establishment Act is a foundational step in modernizing federal hydropower and ensuring its long-term reliability. This bill will help secure cost-based power for generations to come. We look forward to collaborating with Congressman Graves to advance this important legislation. – Steven Stodden, President & CEO, Missouri Public Utilities Association

 

"Federal hydropower is a vital, reliable renewable energy source for the state of Missouri and throughout the region.  We are grateful for Congressman Graves' support for this legislation that will help cut unnecessary red tape and keep energy prices affordable for the members we serve." – Brian Ackermann, SPRA Board President and Vice President of Portfolio Management at Associated Electric Cooperative.

 

“Federal hydropower is a reliably renewable generation resource. This legislation recognizes the value of protecting that resource throughout the six-state region, making sure that these important assets are maintained. This legislation would go a long way toward ensuring grid reliability and affordably throughout the region for millions of homes, farms and small businesses. I thank Congressman Graves for introducing this important bill that represents good business sense.” – Nicki Fuller, Executive Director, Southwestern Power Resources Association

 

“NRECA supports the Southwestern Power Administration Fund Establishment Act. The self-financed revolving loan fund authorized by this bill would allow the Southwestern Power Administration to better manage infrastructure needs while being more responsive to market conditions and electric demands created by extreme weather events.” – National Rural Electric Cooperative Association

 

“The American Public Power Association applauds the introduction of the Southwestern Power Fund Establishment Act. Since 1943, not-for-profit public power utilities and rural electric cooperatives have successfully partnered with the Southwestern Power Administration (SWPA) to bring reliable hydropower produced at Army Corps dams to millions of customers in Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. While SWPA customers pay all costs of generating and transmitting the electricity in their power rates, a complicated funding process has increasingly failed to provide the financial certainty necessary to steady power rates to customers during drought and extreme weather events. The Southwestern Power Fund Establishment Act would streamline this process in a manner that would help avoid rate spikes and economic hardship for communities served by public power utilities and rural electric cooperatives while continuing to ensure that SWPA customers pay all costs associated with generating and transmitting hydropower produced at Corps dams. It is a win-win for the federal government and communities served by not-for-profit electric utilities.” – American Public Power Association