Sam Graves

Graves' Water Resources Bill Passes House

Position: The release describes House passage of H.R. 9497, the Water Resources Development Act of 2026, and expresses support for its provisions on waterways, flood control, project delivery reforms, and Corps policy changes, which the sponsor states should be enacted into law by the end of this Congress.

WASHINGTON, DC – The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved H.R. 9497, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026, a bipartisan bill that addresses improvements for the nation’s ports and harbors, inland waterway navigation system, flood and storm risk management, environment, and other aspects of our water resources infrastructure. The bill, introduced by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (MO-06), was approved 415 to 9 on Wednesday. Communities nationwide and the U.S. economy rely on WRDA-authorized investments in water resources infrastructure and projects of the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). Since 2014, Congress has enacted a WRDA every two years to help improve water resources infrastructure. WRDA-authorized projects of the Corps are locally-driven projects that deliver regional and national benefits. “WRDA 2026 makes significant improvements across the country to our inland waterways, ports and harbors, flood protection, and other critical water infrastructure. This bill also makes common-sense reforms to the Army Corps of Engineers’ policies, empowers local communities, and expedites project delivery,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO). “For North Missouri, WRDA 2026 advances a comprehensive flood control plan on the Missouri River, ensuring that people and property are the main priority when managing the river. It also expands the ways our levee owners can work with the Corps to build flood risk management infrastructure and provides necessary, streamlined assistance to levee districts facing maintenance challenges. I look forward to working with the other chief sponsors of this bill – T&I Ranking Member Rick Larsen, Subcommittee Chairman Mike Collins, and Subcommittee Ranking Member Frederica Wilson – in addition to my colleagues in the House and our counterparts in the Senate to see a final WRDA bill signed into law by the end of this Congress.” Numerous stakeholders have also expressed support for passing WRDA 2026. As approved by the House today, WRDA 2026 authorizes 133 new feasibility studies for locally proposed water resources infrastructure projects and 14 projects that have been vetted by the Corps and are ready for construction authorization by Congress. In addition, WRDA 2026 includes various policy changes to improve infrastructure project delivery. These include strengthening and reauthorizing alternative project delivery programs, emphasizing non-federal interests’ input for feasibility studies, and helping ensure non-federal interests can find the right Corps resources to get projects off the ground. The bill improves the partnership between the Corps and non-federal interests by establishing offices with expertise on inland navigation, alternative delivery, water supply, and technical assistance. Policies in this bill will improve non-federal interests’ ability to obtain valuable technical assistance and to fund construction more quickly, as well as to encourage the Corps to increase use of multi-year contracts. WRDA 2026 provisions will better support the Corps’ navigation mission, improve the Corps’ accountability to Congress, strengthen flood and coastal storm risk management, and address dam safety through the reauthorization of the High Hazard Potential Dam program under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) National Dam Safety Program. Wins for North Missouri:

Transportation Committee Unanimously Approves Graves' Water Resources Bill

Position: The release announces committee approval of H.R. 9497, the Water Resources Development Act of 2026, and describes its provisions on Army Corps of Engineers project authorization, flood risk management, and project delivery reforms, with the sponsor stating he looks forward to moving the bill through the House.

WASHINGTON, DC – The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee today unanimously approved H.R. 9497, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026, which was introduced by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (MO-06). The bipartisan bill addresses improvements for the nation’s ports and harbors, inland waterway navigation system, flood and storm risk management, environment, and other aspects of our water resources infrastructure. Communities nationwide and the U.S. economy rely on WRDA-authorized investments in water resources infrastructure and projects of the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). Since 2014, Congress has enacted a WRDA every two years to help improve water resources infrastructure. WRDA-authorized projects of the Corps are locally-driven projects that deliver regional and national benefits. “Not only does WRDA 2026 help build and maintain safe and reliable waterways, flood protection, and other water infrastructure for our country, it streamlines Army Corps of Engineers’ processes, provides reforms to improve project delivery, and empowers local stakeholders,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO). “For North Missouri in particular, WRDA 2026 advances a comprehensive flood control plan on the Missouri River, ensuring that people and property are the main priority when managing the river. It also expands the ways our levee owners can work with the Corps to build flood risk management infrastructure and provides necessary, streamlined assistance to levee districts facing maintenance challenges. It also strengthens my state’s representation in Missouri River basin management. I want to thank the other chief sponsors of this bill – T&I Ranking Member Rick Larsen, Subcommittee Chairman Mike Collins, and Subcommittee Ranking Member Frederica Wilson – for their work on this bill, and I look forward to moving it through the House of Representatives.” Numerous stakeholders have also expressed support for passing WRDA 2026. As approved by the Committee today, WRDA 2026 authorizes 133 new feasibility studies for locally proposed water resources infrastructure projects and 14 projects that have been vetted by the Corps and are ready for construction authorization by Congress. In addition, WRDA 2026 includes various policy changes to improve infrastructure project delivery. These include strengthening and reauthorizing alternative project delivery programs, emphasizing non-federal interests’ input for feasibility studies, and helping ensure non-federal interests can find the right Corps resources to get projects off the ground. The bill improves the partnership between the Corps and non-federal interests by establishing offices with expertise on inland navigation, alternative delivery, water supply, and technical assistance. Policies in this bill will improve non-federal interests’ ability to obtain valuable technical assistance and to fund construction more quickly, as well as to encourage the Corps to increase use of multi-year contracts. WRDA 2026 provisions will better support the Corps’ navigation mission, improve the Corps’ accountability to Congress, strengthen flood and coastal storm risk management, and address dam safety through the reauthorization of the High Hazard Potential Dam program under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) National Dam Safety Program. Wins for North Missouri:

Graves Fights for North Missouri in Defense Bill

Position: The release describes Rep. Graves's support for FY2027 NDAA provisions funding military aircraft, munitions production, and facilities in North Missouri and across Missouri, and argues that increased defense spending and production capacity are needed given rising global threats.

WASHINGTON, DC – 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. ###

Graves Introduces Bipartisan, Five-Year Surface Transportation Reauthorization – the BUILD America 250 Act

Position: The release announces the introduction of a bipartisan five-year surface transportation reauthorization bill that includes record bridge investment, passenger rail and rail safety provisions, an autonomous commercial motor vehicle framework, and new Highway Trust Fund revenue from electric vehicle owners.

WASHINGTON, DC – Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (MO-06), along with Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA), Highways and Transit Subcommittee Chairman David Rouzer (R-NC), Highways and Transit Subcommittee Ranking Member Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), and Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee Chairman Daniel Webster (R-FL), introduced the BUILD America 250 Act, a bipartisan, five-year surface transportation reauthorization bill that invests in America’s roads, bridges, transit, rail transportation, and highway and motor carrier safety programs. The BUILD America 250 Act – Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America’s 250th Act – emphasizes moving people, goods, and freight safely and efficiently across the country. The bill provides the largest ever investment in America’s bridges, focuses on proven surface transportation infrastructure programs, provides passenger rail investments and reforms, improves rail safety, ensures that transportation projects and programs are more efficient, encourages innovation, and provides the first ever autonomous commercial motor vehicle framework. The bill also strengthens the Highway Trust Fund by ensuring all highway users pay their share for the use and improvement of the nation’s roads. As a result, the BUILD America 250 Act injects the Highway Trust Fund with its first new stream of revenue for infrastructure in over three decades. “I believe the BUILD America 250 Act is the most important surface transportation bill since President Eisenhower built the Interstate Highway System. Like the America 250 celebration this year, this bill is not simply about honoring our past – it’s about moving forward and building upon the legacy of our nation’s infrastructure,” said Chairman Graves. “I’m extremely proud of the historic level of investment in America’s bridges – at more than $50 billion, it’s the largest such investment in our history. And the BUILD America 250 Act ensures that electric vehicle owners begin paying their fair share for the use of our roads. The bill also makes smart and targeted reforms to our surface transportation programs, focuses on strengthening our core infrastructure system, drives innovation, bolsters safety, ensures states have the flexibility they need, and cuts red tape to get projects built faster. I want to thank Ranking Member Larsen and our subcommittee leaders for their strong partnership in developing this important legislation.” “You can’t have a big-league economy with little-league infrastructure,” said T&I Committee Ranking Member Larsen. “The BUILD America 250 Act makes key investments in the nation’s transportation – from restoring aging bridges and repairing crumbling roads to building out safe, accessible transit and bike infrastructure. A commitment to bipartisan lawmaking means finding compromise; while this bill does not include every priority, I am committed to building on the last bipartisan infrastructure law by creating good-paying transportation jobs, growing the economy and safely transporting people and goods across the country by road and rail. Thank you to Chairman Graves for his partnership. I look forward to marking up this bill on Thursday.” To prepare for the BUILD America 250 Act, the Committee held numerous hearings throughout the last year and a half and solicited input, ideas, and priorities for consideration from all Members of the House and the broad infrastructure stakeholder community – over 11,000 individual policy requests were submitted in total. The Committee announced it will hold a markup of H.R. 8870, the BUILD America 250 (Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America’s 250th) at 10:00 a.m. (ET) on Thursday, May 21, 2026, in 2167 Rayburn House Office Building. You can view the markup here. The ultimate goal is to send the legislation from Congress to the President’s desk before the current surface transportation authorization expires on September 30, 2026. Link to the text of the BUILD America 250 Act Link to a section-by-section summary of the BUILD America 250 Act

Graves Announces $27.3 million Grant for Marion-Ralls Regional Port Authority

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Sam Graves, (MO-06), Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, announced that he has secured a Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) Grant for the Marion-Ralls Regional Port Authority. The $27,324,552 grant will help construct a barge receiving dock, receiving conveyors, and a 21,000-ton dry fertilizer warehouse with a loading tower and blending system. It also includes site work, as well as an 800 ton per hour receiving conveyor system, a truck to support on site operations, and a working barge/floating dock. The project is being done in partnership with GROWMARK, Inc. “The Mississippi River is a critical resource for our farmers. The creation of this new port facility will enhance the agricultural supply chain and reduce transportation costs for inputs. I’m so proud of the work being done to utilize the efficiency and economic benefits of the Mississippi River and I look forward to seeing the region benefit as a result,” Graves said. “Congratulations to the Marion-Ralls Regional Port Authority, Port Director Maria Kuhns and GROWMARK on securing this funding.” ###

Graves’ Committee Moving Forward with Dalilah’s Law to Get Illegal Truck Drivers Off Our Highways

Position: The release advocates for strengthening Commercial Driver's License requirements to prevent undocumented immigrants from obtaining CDLs, requiring English language proficiency, and ensuring proper training and safety standards for commercial motor vehicle drivers.

WASHINGTON, DC – The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, led by Chairman Sam Graves (MO-06), will take up Dalilah’s Law this week, a measure to strengthen Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) requirements in the United States, ensure commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers are properly trained and meet safety standards, require CMV drivers to be able to read and understand the English language, and prevent unqualified and illegal immigrants that could pose a significant safety hazard from obtaining a CDL through lax enforcement by states. The legislation was introduced by Highways and Transit Subcommittee Chairman David Rouzer (R-NC). Dalilah’s Law is named in honor of Dalilah Coleman, the 5-year-old girl who was struck and severely injured by an illegal alien driving a semi-truck. Dalilah was a guest of President Trump at this year’s State of the Union address, where the President called for Congress to pass such a law to block illegal and unqualified immigrants from obtaining a CDL in the United States. The accident that caused Dalilah’s injury is only one example of recent incidents caused by drivers who were not qualified to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle and should not have been given CDLs. “Let me be clear – this is a safety issue. If you can’t speak and read English, or if you’re not properly trained to drive a semi down our highways, you’ve got no business holding a CDL in the United States. Furthermore, we need to strengthen the laws related to issuing CDLs and ensure that states are following and enforcing those laws and requirements,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO). “Dalilah’s Law is a commonsense piece of legislation that achieves those goals and strongly supports the efforts of the Trump Administration to make our roads safer. I want to commend Chairman Rouzer for his leadership on this issue, and I look forward to moving this bill through the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee later this week, and then quickly through the House of Representatives.” “Commercial driver’s license standards are in place for a reason: to ensure that only those qualified to drive a truck are allowed to do so. Dalilah’s story is the heartbreaking consequence of what happens when those standards are both insufficient and breached,” said Highways and Transit Subcommittee Chairman David Rouzer (R-NC), the lead sponsor of the legislation. “Unqualified, illegal foreign drivers behind the wheel of an 80-ton rig put the public in danger. President Trump called on Congress to end this systematic abuse, and Dalilah’s Law answers the call. I look forward to working with Secretary Duffy and Chairman Graves to get this bill to the President’s desk to prevent tragedies like Dalilah’s from happening again.” H.R. 5688 was first introduced by Chairman Rouzer on October 3, 2025, as the Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act, to end the issuance of CDLs to illegal immigrants who lack the English proficiency, road-rule knowledge, and safety skills needed to safely operate CMVs. The bill parallels efforts by President Trump and Transportation Secretary Duffy to crack down on this safety crisis that was fueled by the open border policies of the Biden Administration, and it codifies many of the Administration’s actions to ensure safety on the nation’s roads. The legislation also includes a provision from Rep. Dave Taylor’s (R-OH) Commercial Motor Vehicle English Proficiency Act requiring English Language Proficiency for all CDL holders. The updated bill text of H.R. 5688, now known as Dalilah’s Law, improves safety and CDL policies by: Ensuring all CDL holders understand English, roads signs, and law enforcement officers; Placing drivers who fail to meet the Law’s requirements and safety standards out-of-service; Requiring states to verify that they are not issuing CDLs to illegal immigrants; Significantly increasing penalties for states failing to comply with the Law, by withholding of Federal funds; Banning shady foreign dispatch services and brokers, who have fueled a surge in freight fraud and cargo theft; and Cracking down on “CDL mills” to ensure drivers entering the industry are receiving adequate training. Read the bill text of Dalilah’s Law here. The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will mark up Dalilah’s Law at 10:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in 2167 Rayburn House Office Building. A link to the live webcast of Wednesday’s markup will be available here. ###

Graves Statement on President Trump's State of the Union Address

Position: Rep. Graves expresses support for President Trump's economic and energy policies, including border security, inflation reduction, tax cuts, and military strengthening. He indicates support for an upcoming Highway Bill as a major infrastructure priority.

WASHINGTON, DC – Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (MO-06) released the following statement following President Trump’s State of the Union address: "Our nation is getting stronger by the day, thanks to President Trump’s leadership. When he took office, the border was out of control, inflation was skyrocketing, energy prices were crushing our families, and our military was demoralized. Now, working with President Trump, we’ve been able to secure the border, curbed inflation and cut taxes for working families. We’ve also unleashed American energy sources and rebuilt our military into the strongest fighting force in the world. The results speak for themselves, and I look forward to working with President Trump on our shared priorities, including the upcoming Highway Bill, the most significant of its kind since the creation of the federal highway system." ###

Graves Moves to Protect Small Businesses from Predatory Lawsuits Over Websites

Position: Congressman Graves supports legislation that requires website owners to be notified of ADA non-compliance and given 180 days to remedy it before civil lawsuits can be filed, framing this as protection for small businesses from predatory litigation while still advancing website accessibility.

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) introduced the Protecting Small Businesses from Predatory Website Lawsuits Act, legislation that puts gives small businesses a chance to make websites accessible for Americans with disabilities, instead of being caught up in exploitive sue-and-settle schemes. Small businesses in North Missouri and across the country are being hit with copy-and-paste demand letters, claiming their websites aren’t ADA-compliant. Instead of giving these small businesses a chance to make things right, these trial attorneys are demanding cash or threatening to drag these mom-and-pop shops into years of expensive litigation. “Small businesses should not be targeted and exploited for a quick cash grab. They should not have to choose between paying a lawyer or paying their employees. These lawsuits are not about helping or ensuring access for customers, they are about making money off hardworking business owners. This bill gives small businesses much-needed protection,” said Graves. The bill amends the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) so a civil lawsuit over website compliance cannot be filed until the owner/operator of the website is notified of their website’s noncompliance with ADA standards. The owner/operator would then have 180 days to bring it into compliance. By allowing small business owners a chance to make things right, this legislation protects Main Street America, while strengthening the ADA by ensuring more websites are accessible to Americans with disabilities. You can read the bill here. ###

Graves Votes to Cut Wasteful Spending

Position: Graves supports the appropriations bill as a measure to reduce federal spending and wasteful government expenditures while maintaining investments in essential government functions.

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) released the following statement after voting in favor of the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026, which passed the House yesterday. “The federal government needs to learn to live within its means, just like American families have to,” said Graves. “The appropriations bills, which cut billions in wasteful spending and make important investments in the things government should do and should do well, are a good step in the right direction. I’ll keep working to cut wasteful spending, balance the budget, and get our country back on track.” Graves included several provisions in the bill to fund critical projects in North Missouri: $2.1 million for the Missouri Water Centerat the University of Missourito support research and modeling to improve flood and drought management in the Lower Missouri River Basin. $5.05 million to improve and repair sewer and stormwater systems in North Missouri $18 million in additional funding to help the United States Army Corps of Engineers maintain the Upper Mississippi River Navigation Channel. You can view the bill here. ###