U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) has been selected to serve as chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the 118th Congress.

Graves has served as the Committee’s Ranking Republican Member for the last four years.

“When I first came to Congress, I fought hard to serve on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee," Graves said in a statement. "It’s now one of the greatest honors of my life to be chosen by my colleagues to chair what I believe is one of the most important and effective committees in Congress. America cannot prosper without a safe and efficient transportation network that meets the economic needs of our diverse states and communities."

Graves added that the T&I Committee will have a full agenda over the next two years, including oversight of the Administration, its implementation of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure law, and its policies.

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) congratulated Graves in its statement regarding the selection.

"Chair Graves was most recently Ranking Member of the T&I Committee and has a deep understanding of how forward-looking investments in infrastructure can fundamentally impact and benefit our communities, economy, and Americans’ daily lives," the association said. "APTA looks forward to continuing to work with Committee leaders to ensure that the promise of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) is realized and that public transit succeeds in its essential role of providing Americans access to opportunities: work, education, and health care."

Graves is also a member of the House Committee on Armed Services.

Born in Tarkio, Missouri, Graves graduated from Tarkio High School in 1982 and attended college at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he received his degree in Agronomy from the School of Agriculture.

In 1992, Sam won his first race for state representative. In 1994, he was elected state senator for the 12th Senatorial District and was subsequently re-elected in 1998.