Sam Graves Quotes

The SBA should be redirected to focus on its core missions of capital access, contracting, and counseling, while reducing duplication, overlap, and wasteful spending. Doing so will greatly improve its ability to better advocate for small businesses.

- Sam Graves

Our priorities are out of whack. We spend too much to protect birds and fish at the expense of people.

- Sam Graves

Part of any solution to get our economy going should include steps to free up our small businesses by peeling back unnecessarily burdensome regulations, ending the continual threats of tax hikes, and addressing the cloud of federal debt that hangs over our economy.

- Sam Graves

Kansas City is one of the most convenient airports in the nation.

- Sam Graves

The federal government spends nearly half a trillion dollars on contracted goods and services; therefore, we must ensure that the money is being spent efficiently, and small businesses have proven that they can do quality work cheaper and often faster.

- Sam Graves

As newly created P2P businesses disrupt the status quo and compete with established companies, they face the difficulty of fitting a square peg into a round hole when it comes to existing regulatory regimes that don't contemplate their business models.

- Sam Graves

I understand that the nature of politics sometimes involves fending off frivolous, anonymous allegations.

- Sam Graves

The RFA requires federal agencies to assess the economic impact of their regulations on small firms, and if significant, consider less burdensome alternatives. Federal agencies sometimes fail to comply at all, or simply 'check the box,' fulfilling the letter of the law, while missing the purpose of the law entirely.

- Sam Graves

The fact that two-thirds of Americans who work at small businesses will see premium increases because of the health law is devastating news. This is one more in a long line of broken promises from President Obama and Washington Democrats.

- Sam Graves

Administrator McCarthy and the EPA will soon find out that Washington bureaucrats are becoming far too aggressive in attacking our way of life. Administrator McCarthy should be apologizing to Missourians. EPA aggression has reached an all-time high, and now it must be stopped.

- Sam Graves

Growing up on a family farm, I know firsthand the challenges of running a small business... challenges that only seem to be growing for today's entrepreneurs.

- Sam Graves

Having grown up on a family farm, I am all too familiar with the effects a drought can have on a crop.

- Sam Graves

I have no preconceived notions of what SBA programs work or not.

- Sam Graves

By and large, small companies don't want to settle for part-time employees over full-time positions.

- Sam Graves

It's important for Republicans to nominate someone who not only has a vision of how to create jobs, but who has done it. That's why I am endorsing Texas Governor Rick Perry for President.

- Sam Graves

Federal regulations should promote safety without unnecessarily burdening small firms and costing much-needed jobs.

- Sam Graves

I worry about whether SBA programs are still doing what they are meant to do - support lenders who fund good business startups and good expansion plans.

- Sam Graves

Millions of people gave their lives fighting fascism and imperialism, but Pearl Harbor was the event that forever changed the course of human history.

- Sam Graves

Small lending institutions lack the capability of their larger counterparts to hire the additional manpower necessary to deal with the hundreds of additional regulations created by Dodd-Frank.

- Sam Graves

The few effective provisions of Dodd-Frank are masked by its many flaws - flaws that have been and will continue to be detrimental to the American economy and our financial future if not reversed.

- Sam Graves

It's time for some common sense from federal agencies.

- Sam Graves

The significance and volume of repairs that are needed across the country demand that we give state and local governments the long-term certainty they need to effectively execute these projects.

- Sam Graves

Access to capital is critical for small business success and crucial to our economic recovery. Without access to capital, many small companies are not able to maintain operations, let alone expand and create new jobs.

- Sam Graves

The VA does a lot of good things, but determining if a firm is a small business is not one of them.

- Sam Graves

There are over 20 federal agencies that provide some, or all, of the steps in the export process. This can paint a very confusing and intimidating picture for small companies who often don't have designated export officials or trade representatives on staff to navigate the process for their businesses.

- Sam Graves

When I pick my subcommittee chairmen, I look for people that understand what it's like to run successful businesses, who know what it's like to sign the front of the check instead of the back of the check: somebody that gets it.

- Sam Graves

Small business owners are experiencing great uncertainty because of the possibility of tax increases, the inconsistent flow of credit, an outrageous national debt, high energy costs, and overreaching federal regulations.

- Sam Graves

Time and time again, small businesses testify before the Committee on Small Business that they simply want the government to 'get out of the way.'

- Sam Graves

I have heard firsthand from several small business owners about their struggle to borrow and their fear of taking on additional debt.

- Sam Graves

If we don't enforce visa laws, we basically have open borders.

- Sam Graves

Bringing buyers and sellers together through a single platform is not a new idea - most of us know about eBay's success - but with advancing technology comes new innovative methods for businesses to connect customers with those who want to offer services.

- Sam Graves

Simply put, our nation's economy will only go as far as our small businesses will take it.

- Sam Graves

When the EPA says that property owners, farmers, and livestock producers must stomach higher costs, longer delays, and bigger headaches, it's up to Congress to put up a roadblock.

- Sam Graves

At every turn, small businesses should be encouraged to compete. When they do, we all win.

- Sam Graves

Small businesses win as they get more contracts; workers win as small businesses create jobs; and taxpayers win as prices are driven down.

- Sam Graves

Just as water is a key ingredient to growth on the farm, capital is required for businesses to thrive.

- Sam Graves

Many small businesses rely on small financial institutions, like credit unions and community banks, to meet their capital requirements. Without them, these small businesses would have to close their doors.

- Sam Graves

Congress can protect small businesses by providing effective oversight over SBA policies and make sure they take into account the needs of small businesses while also protecting taxpayer dollars. Congress also needs to make sure that new banking regulations do not make it more costly for community banks to lend to small businesses.

- Sam Graves

In order to help small businesses gain access to the credit and capital they need to run their business successfully, Congress must adopt policies that support functional capital markets without imposing undue restrictions on providers of debt and equity capital.

- Sam Graves

The federal government has gone too far on many nonessential regulations that are harming small businesses. Employers are rightly concerned about the costs of these regulations - so they stop hiring, stop spending, and start saving for a bill from the federal government.

- Sam Graves

The integrity of the federal procurement system needs to be protected so that the public has confidence in government contracts, and small businesses have every opportunity to compete.

- Sam Graves

Legitimate small businesses are put at a huge competitive disadvantage when bad actors lie about their small business status and don't play by the rules.

- Sam Graves

We owe it to American taxpayers to make sure that contracts intended for small businesses go to small businesses.

- Sam Graves

The sweeping, unfocused cuts of sequestration are certain to have unintended negative consequences, including for America's small businesses.

- Sam Graves

Economic recovery begins with our small businesses.

- Sam Graves

We must get government out of the way and help foster an environment where small businesses are free to grow and create jobs.

- Sam Graves

Trade agreements are important because they open up new marketplaces to small businesses, which ultimately translates into more jobs and greater economic growth.

- Sam Graves

The economy needs thriving, job-creating small businesses, but excessive and ill-considered regulations too often get in the way of growth.

- Sam Graves

Small businesses all across this nation are tired of the uncertainty created by Washington.

- Sam Graves

I have personally seen Ted Cruz stand up and fight on the issues that matter the most to conservatives, even when it wasn't popular in Congress.

- Sam Graves

We must secure our borders and restore the rule of law, and more than anyone running, Ted Cruz has fought to make this nation secure while protecting our constitutional rights.

- Sam Graves

The trend in entrepreneurship is up, but an entrepreneur's ability to hire is down.

- Sam Graves

Gov. Perry has led the way in Texas on creating an environment for job growth.

- Sam Graves

Government does not create jobs, but it can help set the table for economic growth with the right policies.

- Sam Graves

It's mystifying to me why the House leadership will not allow a straight up-or-down vote on a pay raise. I vote against every pay raise because taxpayers deserve better.

- Sam Graves

The JOBS Act will allow entrepreneurs to utilize 'crowdfunding,' which permits them to raise equity capital from a large pool of small investors.

- Sam Graves

Walt Disney grew up in Marceline, but almost every child has grown up with his beloved characters.

- Sam Graves

There is no doubt that the majority of Kansas Citians are happy with their three-terminal airport. I will advocate in Washington for our city to keep its unique airport as long as we want it.

- Sam Graves

There are a lot of folks out there that love the convenience of the Kansas City airport. That's one of the biggest things it's got going for it.

- Sam Graves

It is key that Kansas Citians make the call as to what kind of airport they want.

- Sam Graves

Saying that you are advocating on behalf of small business does not grant a license to spend at will on more and more programs without congressional input, oversight, or statutory authority.

- Sam Graves

The P2P marketplace extends into other markets where individuals are monetizing underutilized assets. Lodging is one example. Instead of finding a hotel room, in the sharing economy you can rent a spare room from a local resident.

- Sam Graves

When we stop running up huge budget deficits and start acting responsibly in Washington, we will provide small-business owners with the certainty they need to put Americans back to work.

- Sam Graves

There is nothing out there that I have a grudge against or I have a problem with.

- Sam Graves

This is the people's money, and we need to use it on their priorities. Increasing the pay of members of Congress is not their priority.

- Sam Graves

Small companies need capital to invest, expand, and create jobs. And the economy needs a healthy small business community to bolster and sustain its recovery.

- Sam Graves

Despite overwhelming support for the United States to adopt English as its official language, we have still not taken that important step.

- Sam Graves

Claiming to 'fight for small business' is often used as a political tool in Washington D.C., but it is actually the policies behind that battle cry that small firms care about.

- Sam Graves

Small business is America's engine of job creation.

- Sam Graves

The federal government has invested billions in Metro, yet the system is not safe and is not reliable.

- Sam Graves

A long-lasting and sustained recovery will never be achieved through massive government spending programs.

- Sam Graves

I want to take a close look at the SBA to see what works, what doesn't, what is duplicative, and what isn't even being utilized. We'll focus on what they do well and strengthen those areas.

- Sam Graves

The value of small business contracting is indisputable. These firms bring healthy competition to the federal market to drive down prices. They are our nation's innovators and job creators, and securing a federal contract helps them grow and offers more benefit to the economy.

- Sam Graves

Government should stand aside and let the business community prosper instead of imposing new regulations that will only stifle growth and limit access to capital.

- Sam Graves

Competition is a powerful and essential part of this nation's economy and vital to cutting government costs.

- Sam Graves

There are 12 million illegal immigrants in this country - drawing welfare benefits, sending their children to public schools, and pushing down wages for American workers - but the problem extends well beyond amnesty and open borders.

- Sam Graves

The recession's high unemployment rates may have encouraged people to start sole proprietorships, but there are many obstacles in the way of growing a company to create jobs.

- Sam Graves

Removing government-created obstacles to small business growth is what Washington should be addressing, and this focus should start with removing the herculean impediments to job creation found in the health care law.

- Sam Graves

We have been fighting for solutions that will spur economic growth and create jobs for all Americans because we have been listening to what small business owners and employees have been telling us all along.

- Sam Graves

I want to thank the many Missourians who have reached out to me and asked me to consider running for the United States Senate.

- Sam Graves

The majority of ground in the U.S. is owned by the federal government, and right now, very little of it is accessible to anybody that is trying to produce oil and gas, and we need to be opening that up.

- Sam Graves

As threats emerge - from ISIS to Russia to the Iranian nuclear program - we need a president with the resolve to defend our country and not back down.

- Sam Graves

The mismanagement of the Small Business Health Options program is very frustrating.

- Sam Graves

I'm not in favor of any amnesty whatsoever.

- Sam Graves

A P2P business is a company that creates a platform which allows individuals or 'peers' to directly buy and sell from each other. This activity has sometimes been called the 'sharing economy.' Some are wary of these new companies and the challenge they pose to the established market.

- Sam Graves

I do not like toll roads. Taxpayers are already paying for those roads through their gas taxes, and then to turn around and tell them they need to pay more to drive on the roads, I don't like it.

- Sam Graves

Improving small business opportunities through federal contracts creates jobs and saves taxpayer money.

- Sam Graves

America is a collection of people from different races, religions, and backgrounds - that is part of what makes us great. But a common language is what brings all of those people together to form a community.

- Sam Graves

There are programs that don't work.

- Sam Graves

Although 95 percent of the world's market for products exists outside the U.S., many small firms do not have the resources and personnel to take advantage of these opportunities.

- Sam Graves

By necessity, budgets require hard choices.

- Sam Graves

The best thing we can do to help small-business owners succeed is cut spending.

- Sam Graves

To keep something around just because it is already on the books, I think, is wrong.

- Sam Graves

The sky isn't falling. We're not going to have more meteors hit because of sequestration.

- Sam Graves