History of Sam Graves in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 27, 2026

Sam Graves is an American politician currently serving as the U.S. Representative for Missouri's 6th congressional district since 2001. As of 2023, he became the dean of Missouri's congressional delegation after Roy Blunt's retirement. His district covers a large portion of northern Missouri, extending from the Kansas border to the Illinois border. A significant portion of the district's population resides in the northern areas of the Kansas City metropolitan area.

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Full Timeline

November 7, 1963: Samuel Bruce Graves Jr. Born

On November 7, 1963, Samuel Bruce Graves Jr. was born. He would later become an American politician and serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Others born on this day/year

1992: Elected to Missouri House of Representatives

In 1992, Sam Graves was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives.

1994: Elected to Missouri Senate

In 1994, after one term in the Missouri House of Representatives, Sam Graves was elected to the Missouri Senate.

1998: Re-elected to Missouri Senate

In 1998, Sam Graves was re-elected to the Missouri Senate.

2000: Elected to U.S. Representative

In 2000, Sam Graves was elected as U.S. Representative, after Pat Danner retired. Graves ran against Steve Danner and won with 51% of the vote.

2001: Elected to Congress

In 2001, Sam Graves was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for Missouri's 6th congressional district.

September 2008: Voted Against Financial System Bailout

In September 2008, Sam Graves voted against the proposed bailout of the United States financial system, stating that it did not adequately protect taxpayers.

2008: Re-election against Kay Barnes

In 2008, Sam Graves was re-elected, defeating Kay Barnes, despite accusations of running an ad accusing Barnes of promoting "San Francisco values". Graves won with 59% of the vote.

2009: House Ethics Committee Inquiry

In 2009, the House Ethics Committee began an inquiry into whether Sam Graves used his position on the Small Business Committee inappropriately by inviting a business partner of his wife to testify at a hearing. The committee later found no ethical violations.

January 2014: Introduced TRICARE Family Improvement Act

In January 2014, Sam Graves introduced the TRICARE Family Improvement Act, which aimed to allow dependents of military members to stay on their parents' TRICARE health plan after age 26.

2017: American Conservative Union Evaluation

In 2017, The American Conservative Union gave Sam Graves an 85% evaluation.

October 29, 2018: Lion Air Flight 610 Crash

On October 29, 2018, Lion Air Flight 610 crashed, which Sam Graves later attributed to poor pilot training in a May 13, 2019, hearing.

May 13, 2019: Testimony on 737 MAX Crashes

On May 13, 2019, at a House Aviation subcommittee hearing, Sam Graves blamed the 737 MAX crashes (Lion Air Flight 610 on October 29, 2018, and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302) on poor training of the Indonesian and Ethiopian pilots.