Dec 3, 2024 - Politics & Policy

House GOP gives surprise waiver to Sam Graves

Juliegrace Brufke

Aviation Administration, and Rep. Sam Graves, R-Mo., talk with Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., off camera, during Whitaker's Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee confirmation hearing in Russell Building, Wednesday, October 4, 2023. Graves introduced Whitaker to the committee. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

The powerful House GOP steering committee granted Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) a waiver to stay on as the chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Tuesday, two sources confirmed to Axios.

Why it matters: Multiple sources said they did not expect waivers to be granted for the next Congress. House GOP rules require a waiver to be the top member on a committee for more than six years.

Graves edged out Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.), who announced he was running for the position in March.
Graves — who was previously floated as a potential contender to serve as secretary of Transportation — made the case that he is prepared to swiftly move on President-elect Trump's agenda next year.
While House Democrats do not have term limits, Republicans in the lower chamber are generally capped at serving three terms leading committees.

The big picture: Lawmakers have been jockeying for a number of open gavels, with a number of current chairs either retiring or being termed out of their roles.

The decision to grant the waiver to Graves is expected to ruffle some feathers as members look to climb the ranks and other senior lawmakers opted against seeking waivers.
The steering committee is set to meet in coming weeks to tap who will serve as chairs and sit on panels, with lawmakers ramping up jockeying for key roles.

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House GOP gives surprise waiver to Sam Graves

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