Sam Graves

Statement from Sam Graves on Senate Decision

“I want to thank the many Missourians who have reached out to me and asked me to consider running for the United States Senate. I do believe that Missourians deserve to be represented by someone who will oppose Barack Obama’s spending agenda instead of a willing enabler.

I have thought about this opportunity and consulted with friends and family. It was an agonizing decision for me, determining the best way for me to serve and my ability to get there. I believe it is a winnable race for me. However, I also believe that I can have a greater impact on federal policy in the next six years as a Chairman in the House. I am the first Chairman in the history of the Sixth Congressional District and there is much I still want to accomplish in Washington.

This district has always been my home and one that I have gotten to know well over the years. I have represented most of the rural areas since my days in the State Senate. I have family in Platte County, I shop in Buchanan County and I have offices in Clay County. I love representing the Sixth District because I understand it in and out.

It is important to me that Republicans nominate the best possible candidate in 2012. For that reason, I intend to let the field fully form before I issue any endorsement. Control of the Senate will be up for grabs and Missourians must do our part.”

Graves | Small Business Award

Graves Earns Guardian of Small Business Award

PoliticalNews.me – Sep 27,2010 – WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Sam Graves received the National Federation of Independent Business’ (NFIB) “Guardian of Small Business Award” for the 111th Congress.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by a group who works so hard for small business owners in the Sixth District and across America,” Graves said. “NFIB makes sure their members’ voices are heard in Congress and in state capitals throughout the country. Their leadership has been especially crucial considering today’s economic conditions and the anti-business policies coming from Washington.”

A Small Business Administration report released earlier this week found small businesses spend an average of $3,000 more per employee to comply with federal regulations than large companies. The report also found the cost of complying with tax regulations effects small businesses 206 percent more than larger businesses.

“Small businesses create seven out of every ten new jobs in America,” Graves added. “They are the economic engine that will lead our recovery. Unfortunately, out of control spending, unnecessary government regulations and the threat of higher tax rates have introduced unprecedented levels of uncertainty into the private sector. I will continue to work with the NFIB and their members as we fight for a return to fiscal sanity, lower taxes and reduced regulation.”

This is the fifth time Graves, the ranking member on the House Small Business Committee, has won the award.

Sam Graves | Small Business in Missouri

Graves Rejects Costly, Inefficient Small Business Lending Bill

Sep 24, 2010 (Congressional Documents and Publications/ContentWorks via COMTEX) —

Washington, D.C., Sep 23 – House Small Business Committee Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO) today voted against the Senate version of H.R. 5297, calling the bill a missed opportunity to help small businesses. H.R. 5297 passed the House by a vote of 237 to 187, with 13 Democrats joining 174 Republicans in voting no.

In a speech on the House floor, Ranking Member Graves said, “Small business owners aren’t looking for more government intervention and more wasteful spending; they’re looking for certainty. Small business owners are looking for a commitment from Washington leaders that their taxes will stay low. They need a commitment that they won’t be bombarded with more job-killing regulations. Most of all, they need to feel confident that they can hire new workers and invest in their businesses without fear that next week, next month, or even next year, Washington will turn its back on them.

“Instead of creating jobs like my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are promising, all this so-called ‘small business bill’ will create is disappointment. In fact, the bill actually removes a critical job creation requirement from one of the SBA lending programs. The truth of the matter is, this is just another bailout bill that will generate billions of dollars for financiers and not one penny for workers. If we are serious about creating jobs and encouraging small business expansion, we must work together to develop fiscally responsible policies that work for small businesses and families.”

Missouri Farms

Northwest Unveils Farm Plans to Grave

By Tony Brown
Maryville Daily Forum
Posted Sep 01, 2010 @ 08:22 AM

Maryville, Mo. — U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, whose 6th Congressional District includes Nodaway County, was at Northwest Missouri State University Tuesday to tour the Center of Innovation and Entre­pre­neurship — a combination business incubator and academic center — and review plans for a major expansion at the 750-acre R.T. Wright University Farm north of Maryville.

Rod Barr, a member of the Northwest agriculture faculty member, unveiled a “master plan” embracing a series of proposed building projects at the farm during an hour-long session in a CIE meeting room, during which Graves fielded questions on a variety of topics.

About 75 people attended the event, including state Rep. Mike Thomson, Mayor Chad Jackson, Northwest President John Jasinski and other civic and university leaders.

Graves, one of the few farmers in Congress, voiced support for the Wright Farm expansion and praised the quality of Northwest’s growing ag program, which he recalled was once nearly eliminated due to falling enrollment and funding constraints…