Biography
Overview
Matt Van Epps is a Republican U.S. Representative from Tennessee's 7th congressional district, serving since December 2025. A former Army officer who graduated from West Point in 2005 and served on active duty for ten years, Van Epps was elected in a special election with 53.9% of the vote. Before entering Congress, he served as commissioner of Tennessee's Department of General Services from 2024 to 2025. He is a decorated military veteran who received the Air Medal with "V" device, Bronze Star, and Meritorious Service Medal.
Career
Van Epps was sworn in on December 4, 2025, making him a very recent member of Congress. His brief tenure includes one notable legislative achievement: on December 9, 2025, he voted to pass the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025, which extended federal payments to rural counties. He has sponsored three bills currently in committee: the Guard Equal Benefits for Federal Missions Act, the Major Non-NATO Ally Terror Threat Assessment Act, and the HONOR Gold Star Families Act. His early voting record shows strong consistency with Republican legislative priorities.
Prior political experience
Van Epps was elected in a 2025 special election for Tennessee's 7th congressional district following the resignation of U.S. Representative Mark Green. The Republican primary on October 7, 2025, featured 11 candidates initially, though this field narrowed after President Trump's endorsement of Van Epps four days before the primary. Van Epps won the Republican primary with 51.6% of the vote. He then won the general election on December 2, 2025, defeating Democratic nominee Aftyn Behn with 53.9% of the popular vote. The 7th district is considered a solid Republican district by the Cook Political Report. Van Epps is seeking re-election to a full term in 2026.
Biographical material adapted from the Wikipedia article (retrieved April 29, 2026), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Ideology
Liberal–Conservative (DW-NOMINATE dim 1)
Secondary axis (DW-NOMINATE dim 2)(?)
Campaigns targeting Matt Van Epps
No active campaigns target Matt Van Epps right now.
Start a campaign targeting Matt Van EppsOfficeholding history
| Term | Seat | Term dates | Termination | Predecessor | Successor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | U.S. House TN-7 | 2025–present | In progress | Marsha Blackburn | — |
Committee assignments
- Transportation and Maritime SecurityHouse· 2025–present
- Counterterrorism and IntelligenceHouse· 2025–present
- House· 2025–present
- House· 2025–present
Current term legislation
Bills sponsored this term3
Bills cosponsored this term10
- H.R. 7764
National Threat Evaluation and Reporting Program Reassignment and Funding Reform Act of 2026
Mar 3, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7745
To establish certain requirements relating to wellness checks for the health and welfare of certain members of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes.
Mar 2, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7703
Stop Illegal Alien Cops Act
Feb 25, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7678
Gun Owner Registration Information Protection Act
Feb 25, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7704
VA Call Center Multi-Factor Authentication Act
Feb 25, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7448
Modernizing and Improving the National Terrorism Advisory System Act of 2026
Feb 9, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7390
SELF DRIVE Act of 2026
Feb 5, 2026INTRODUCED - H.R. 7296
SAVE America Act
Jan 30, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7286
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to revoke the tax-exempt status of organizations that provide, or provide funding for, abortion.
Jan 30, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7146
PORCUPINE Act
Jan 16, 2026IN_COMMITTEE