Q&A with Rep. Garret Graves (LA-6)

IN OUR CONTINUED EXPLORATION?of the individuals shaping our nation’s policies, we are excited to present an in-depth Q&A with Representative Garret Graves of Louisiana. An influential force in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Graves has devoted his career to public service and the betterment of his home state.

Primarily, Rep. Graves serves on the pivotal Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where he is actively involved in shaping the future of America’s roads, bridges, and public transit systems. Additionally, he holds a position on the House Natural Resources Committee, where he leverages his deep understanding of Louisiana’s unique environmental challenges to influence national policy. Join us as we delve into his perspective, insights, and the initiatives he spearheads to address the pressing infrastructure issues of our time.

REID DAGUL:?Representative Graves, we sincerely appreciate you taking the time to sit down with us today. Your insights have greatly enriched the upcoming issue of?NSSGA REVIEW?magazine. On behalf of our readers and the entire team, thank you for your dedication to public service and for this open and enlightening discussion.

As someone with deep insights into both transportation infrastructure and natural resources, you are uniquely positioned to understand the aggregate industry. Could you share with us your perspective on the role of the aggregate industry in today’s economy and infrastructure development? What are your thoughts on its current state and future trajectory?

REP. GRAVES:?The aggregate industry plays a fundamental role that, unfortunately, the general public often isn’t fully aware of. It provides critical resources for everything from foundational construction materials to key inputs for cement production. These resources are essential for infrastructure development. There’s no denying the aggregate industry’s importance.

REID DAGUL:?We appreciate you saying that, Representative Graves. Like you said, the aggregate industry, often simplified as "just rocks," tends to be overlooked. Yet, these rocks form the backbone of our infrastructure, from roads to buildings, playing a critical role in our everyday lives that deserves more recognition.

REP. GRAVES:?Aggregate material is often out of sight, embedded in the foundations of our roads, levees, and buildings. As a result, the industry’s crucial role is often overlooked. The public may not fully realize the significant contribution this material makes to our infrastructure and the stability of our built environment.

REID DAGUL:?I couldn’t agree with you more. Which helps lead us into our next topic: permitting reform. Many in our industry face ongoing challenges with the permitting process, which can often take years to navigate for quarry expansions or even initial setups. Given the current discussions around H.R. 1 and other initiatives, could you share your thoughts on the future of permitting reform? What improvements do you foresee, or conversely, what obstacles do you believe may hinder progress in this area?

REP. GRAVES:?There’s a frequent tendency to get so wrapped up in the permitting process that we lose sight of the actual objective. Fundamentally, permits are designed to ensure environmental protection. I firmly believe that most people have no intention of harming the environment where they live and work. Thus, it’s essential to discard any bias suggesting that everyone is out to damage the environment—that’s simply not accurate.

Looking at the historical context, during President Jimmy Carter’s administration, the guidance stated that environmental reviews, specifically National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews, should take no more than one year. Now, a road project can take over seven years due to litigation, which causes significant delays and expenses. This prevents us from making progress on projects including those within the aggregate industry.

For those seeking to establish quarries or provide aggregate for infrastructure projects, the current discussions around permitting reform should bring greater certainty. The proposed legislation, the BUILDER Act, sets clear timelines and places limitations on litigation, which often introduces an element of unpredictability.

The current regulatory process has lost its focus on supporting public health, safety, and protecting our environment. By refocusing on these objectives and striving for efficiency, we can achieve more predictable timelines. This will allow projects to be planned and executed more effectively, aligning with their initial schedules.

REID DAGUL:?Absolutely, the lack of certainty in project timelines is a significant issue. Even with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) providing funding, regulatory changes often hinder the effective utilization of these funds, and it can be challenging to adapt to changes mid-project.

I had the chance to mention this at your reception the other day, but I must say, your journey from being a staffer to now serving as a member of Congress is impressive. Your ability to dive deep into issues, articulate complex matters effectively, and navigate Congress is a skill that sets you apart. From your unique perspective, do you believe that your experience as a staffer has given you an advantage in your current role? Has it provided you with insights or tools that have been particularly useful?

REP. GRAVES:?Let’s be candid. Navigating Congress can be counterintuitive, quite frankly, it’s completely dysfunctional at times. Newcomers not only have to familiarize themselves with basic things like finding their office, the bathroom, and getting around the Capitol, but they also need to understand the unique language and procedures of this place. It’s not so much a lack of ideas, but rather the capacity to effectively implement them that is often lacking initially.

My own learning curve was quite long, and I made my fair share of mistakes during my tenure as a staffer. However, that experience proved invaluable because it allowed me to learn from both my failures and successes. When I transitioned to a Member of Congress, I already knew that protocol, which allowed me to focus on the crucial work of getting things done.

I firmly believe that those who have served as staffers often make excellent members of Congress. They bring a wealth of practical knowledge and experience. Representatives Rodney Davis, Greg Walden, and Kat Cammack are just a few examples of individuals who have successfully transitioned from staff to serving as effective members. They managed to go through the learning phase and made their mistakes while serving as staff, greatly benefitting their roles as lawmakers.

Also, serving as a former staffer provides me with a unique perspective on our team’s challenges. It gives me a better understanding of what our staff is juggling on a daily basis. This experience helps me work more effectively with them and creates a more cohesive and productive team environment.

REID DAGUL:?Clearly your experience as a congressional staffer significantly enhances your effectiveness as a member of Congress. You mentioned at the beginning, that there are some big bills coming up, such as FAA reauthorization. Can you tell us about your work on these bills?

REP. GRAVES:?The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization is set to expire at the end of September this year.

Typically, Congress approves a five-year authorization for the FAA, and we’re planning to start moving a bill through the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in June with the hope of getting it on the U.S. House floor in July. In addition to reauthorizing the FAA for another five years, the bill would address a range of issues from general aviation and new technologies, to improving airport facilities and infrastructure.

Additionally, we’ve begun laying the groundwork for the Water Resources Development Act. We held a hearing recently on some of that bill’s components, and we expect to start moving the bill through the process early next year to ensure that we stay on schedule in reauthorizing those programs every two years. These are just some examples of the significant infrastructure legislation we plan to advance during this Congress.

REID DAGUL:?That’s great to hear! That said, is there a particular message you would like to share with the broader infrastructure community and building materials suppliers? Anything specific you believe they should know or focus on in the times ahead?

REP. GRAVES:?Something I’d like to emphasize—and your association does a great job of this—is recognizing the importance of those on the ground in the industry. Often, folks who are establishing quarries or transporting aggregates are the people who encounter rules that are redundant or inefficient. I strongly encourage these individuals to recognize that they can be part of the solution by providing feedback to Congress. If there’s a regulation that’s time-consuming or costly, and there’s a simpler more efficient way to achieve the same goal—share that information. Participate in the governmental process, communicate with your association, and help us to make the system more efficient and sensible. We must remember that many people have made significant sacrifices, including the ultimate sacrifice, for our country and our right to influence our government.

I’ve built projects myself, including levees and wetland restoration efforts, and that experience was invaluable. It provided me with a practitioner’s perspective on how these regulations play out on the ground. It’s crucial for all Americans to recognize that they have unique perspectives and expertise that can help shape our government and make our country more efficient.

REID DAGUL:?I have one last question for you. Do you think fly-ins are a good means of advocating, and do you find it beneficial to have our association members come in to meet with you and staff?

REP. GRAVES:?Absolutely. It’s akin to me trying to be a heart surgeon without any medical training and then dictating training standards for heart surgeons—it’s not just impractical, but also irresponsible. Having individuals who are experts in their fields, such as aggregate and mining, come in and share their knowledge and experiences directly is invaluable.

For instance, I might think I understand the military, aircraft carriers, weapon systems, or submarines, but my understanding is significantly deepened when I actually visit these sites and talk to the operators who are directly involved. There’s a unique and rich understanding to be gained from interacting directly with those who are on the ground doing the work.

So, whether it’s through fly-in visits, which are immensely beneficial, or inviting your members out to your sites for tours, both of these are essential components of advocacy and education. These interactions provide invaluable insights that can shape policy and ensure that regulations align with the realities on the ground.

REID DAGUL:?Representative Graves, I sincerely appreciate the time you took to sit down with me and discuss key issues on behalf of NSSGA members. Your insights and commitment to open dialogue are invaluable and it was a privilege to engage in such productive conversation. We look forward to continuing to work with you and your amazing staff.