Small businesses in Kansas City will be able to look to a familiar face to champion their cause in Congress. U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, a Missouri Republican, has been selected as chairman of the House Small Business Committee. Rep. Graves has served as the ranking member of the Small Business Committee since 2009.

In his new leadership role, Graves has promised to fight "waste, fraud and abuse" in small business development programs, and take a hard line on federal policies the might negatively impact small businesses and hamper job creation.

"I’m optimistic that our entrepreneurs and innovators will lead our economy back to life if Washington will simply stop making it more difficult to meet the bottom line," Rep. Graves said.

Rep. Graves has been recognized for his efforts in support of small business, most recently this year when the National Federation of Independent Businesses named him a Guardian of Small Business. He also has received recognition from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturing and the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council for his pro-small business voting record.

He said he plans to work with leaders from both parties "to find better ways to address key issues like health care, taxes and energy without harming employers or creating more unsustainable debt."

In addition to serving as the Ranking Member of the Small Business Committee since 2009, Graves also has served previously as a Ranking Member on the Transportation sub-committee for Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management. In 2005, Graves was the Chairman for the Rural Enterprises, Agriculture and Technology Subcommittee of the Small Business Committee and a Deputy Whip.