EDITOR:
As we wrap up 2025, I’m reflecting on what has been a busy year and looking forward to what’s ahead. We’ve gotten much accomplished and I’m proud of the things that I’ve specifically been able to get done. After being named the “Most Effective Legislator” of the last Congress, the bar was certainly high for this year, but my commitment is to always work diligently to get important things across the finish line. To that end, there were several pieces of legislation that were signed into law this past year that are beneficial to North Missourians and the country.
One of the biggest things that we got done was the Working Families Tax Cut law, which will put more money in folks’ pockets. It included no taxes on tips and overtime, increased deductions for seniors, an expanded Child Tax Credit, and the creation of a fund to transform rural healthcare, of which it was just announced that Missouri will receive over $216 million in the first year of the program to strengthen the delivery of healthcare in our rural areas.
There were other important provisions in the bill that I was specifically responsible for. The down payment we made on modernizing our air traffic control system and training more controllers was timely as we’ve seen increased pressure on the aviation system. President Trump and Secretary Duffy are already making those upgrades and getting folks trained, and I’ll continue working with them to build on what we’re already doing to get travelers to their destination safely and on time.
We also put significant funding towards the Coast Guard as a part of that bill, so they have additional resources to protect our border and national security. They do critical work protecting our shores, and I’m proud that we were able to not only get them significant additional funding in that law but also pass the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act in recent days to fund their operations and make upgrades to their fleet.
That bill was a part of the annual defense bill that was just signed into law. It gives our troops a pay raise, bolsters our national defense and includes several important provisions for the 139th Airlift Wing in St. Joseph and the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence, which is great for North Missouri.
Finally, I’ve been hard at work on the next Highway Bill, which will help build and maintain our roads and bridges. It’s going to be the most important Highway Bill we’ve seen, as we ensure that our infrastructure needs are addressed and paid for, while also anticipating what the future holds, with the ever-changing technology that is out there. You’ll hear more about that in the days ahead as that will be my main priority for 2026, and I look forward to working together to get it done in the new year.
–Sam Graves
Distrito Sexto
Congresista
