Commentary: US Rep. Sam Graves
U.S. Rep. Sam Graves R-Missouri
Dear Friend,
It’s been a productive year thus far in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which I am proud to lead. There is still plenty of work left to get major legislation across the finish line, but I’m committed to working with my colleagues to deliver several important bills to the President.
Earlier this summer, we completed the BUILD America 250 Act in the Transportation Committee. This critical highway bill addresses everything related to our surface transportation system. I was proud to write a bill that returns our focus to core infrastructure needs like roads and bridges. This transformational legislation not only ensures we are meeting key infrastructure demands but also keeps an eye on emerging technologies and makes sure everyone is paying their fair share for the use of our roads.
This bipartisan bill passed with just two no votes—something you don’t hear about very often these days. Yet, we also just passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 unanimously a few weeks ago. WRDA is essential for protecting people and property across North Missouri and around the country, through flood protection and many other water infrastructure improvements.
You might think this level of agreement is rare—and it is to an extent—but it reflects how I run the Committee. It’s what I set out to do when I was named Chairman. You’re not going to get everything you want all the time, but if you sit down, work through the issues, and negotiate in good faith, there’s a good chance you’ll get most of it. That’s exactly what we’ve been able to do.
We’ve also advanced several other important pieces of legislation, including the ALERT Act. I drafted this aviation safety bill in response to the accident last year at Reagan National Airport. It carefully and thoughtfully addresses the NTSB’s recommendations so we can prevent similar incidents in the future.
In addition, we passed the Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act, or Dalilah’s Law, to crack down on unqualified and illegal immigrant CDL holders. We’ve seen problems firsthand in North Missouri, and they’ve occurred across the country. This legislation ensures commercial drivers meet essential safety standards. President Trump has acted on this issue and so has the Transportation Committee.
This only scratches the surface of what we’ve accomplished. I’m proud to lead the House Transportation Committee, and I look forward to seeing these important pieces of legislation move forward soon. It’s what the American people want and expect.
Sincerely,
Sam Graves
