House T&I Chairman Graves To Retire from Congress

Rep. Sam Graves (R-Missouri), who has served in Congress since 2001 and took over as chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in 2023 after serving as its ranking Republican, has decided against seeking reelection this year. “After considerable reflection, 2026 will be my final year in Congress. This wasn’t an easy decision, but it’s the right one. I believe in making room for the next generation,” Graves posted on the social media platform X on Friday.

The congressman added, “For 26 years, I have had the privilege of serving, culminating in becoming the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and passing some of the most significant legislation in our nation’s history. The responsibility entrusted to me is not something I have ever taken for granted. Not for a single day.”

A private pilot who has amassed well over 5,000 hours of flight time, Graves has long been known in the industry as a general aviation advocate. A driving force behind the creation of the House General Aviation Caucus, Graves steered through the most recent FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, including the first-ever title solely dedicated to general aviation. More recently, he has been helping drive a broad safety bill, the so-called Alert Act, and backed a $12.5 billion "down-payment" for air traffic control modernization.

During his tenure, he has spearheaded House legislation on issues involving pilot rights, airport funding, and warbirds, among others. As for his general aviation activities, he hosts an annual town hall and airshow—the Wingnuts Flying Circus—at Gould Peterson Municipal Airport near his hometown of Tarkio, Missouri.

Graves holds an airline transport pilot license in multi-engine land, commercial license in single engine land and sea, and is type rated in the TBM Avenger and all models of the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, North American P-51 Mustang, and F4U Corsair. He owns a 1947 Piper Cub Special and is partners in a T-6 Texan and Vultee BT-13. In addition, he is restoring a 1943 Beech AT-10. He is also a sixth-generation family farmer.

While not always in alignment on industry issues—the lawmaker had backed a user fee plan opposed by the business and general aviation community—Graves was largely revered by the industry as a staunch ally. 

“Words can’t express the significant role Sam Graves has played in Congress—this is certainly the end of an era. We are so proud of not only what he has done for our nation but for his passion to help keep general aviation strong across the country,” said AOPA senior v-p for government affairs and advocacy Jim Coon. “There are too many accomplishments to mention here, but from his work on several aviation bills...Congressman Graves has been a fierce advocate for general aviation—promoting good, common-sense policies for not only pilots and aircraft owners but for all Americans.”

GAMA president and CEO James Viola added, “Chairman Graves has been a passionate champion for general aviation since first coming to Congress. GAMA is truly grateful for his over two decades of leadership and advocacy for the general aviation industry. I would like to thank and commend Chairman Graves for his service, hard work, vision, passion, expertise, and willingness to dive deep into aviation issues.”

NATA president and Curt Castagna further noted, “He understood this industry from personal experience as a pilot and from the standpoint of a small business owner. That gave him a practical perspective that showed up consistently in his leadership and in the policies he advanced.” Castagna added that Graves stood out not only for the positions he took, but for the way he approached the work. “He brought a genuine interest in the issues and in the people affected by them,”