Update From My Office

Hello, friends! This is Congressman Matt Van Epps, your representative of Tennessee’s Seventh Congressional District.

I’ve been hard at work both in Washington and across our district—advancing legislation, supporting our servicemembers and veterans, and engaging directly with the communities we’re honored to represent. From committee hearings on national security and infrastructure to mobile office hours across multiple counties, serving you remains our top priority. Below is an update on my recent work, key legislative efforts, and time spent with Tennesseans making a difference across our communities.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a time for our nation to honor the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces who gave their lives in service to our country. Their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to freedom will never be forgotten.

Cheatham County Honors Our Heroes

Cheatham County came together to honor those who gave everything for our country. Standing alongside this community, I was reminded that remembrance is a responsibility. We honor them not just in ceremony, but in how we live—by carrying forward the values they fought to defend.

To our Gold Star Families, thank you for your service and your sacrifice. This past weekend was about your loved one who never came home. We have to continue to honor and tell the stories of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we can continue to live free. Click below to watch my full speech.

Montgomery County Remembers the Fallen

Memorial Day is deeply personal for many throughout our district. With Fort Campbell being the heartbeat of Montgomery County, that truth is felt even more deeply here—where service is not an abstract idea, but a daily reality for Soldiers, families, and Gold Star loved ones who carry both pride and profound loss. We remember those who gave everything not only in ceremony, but in commitment—to stand with their families, to support those who continue to serve, and to ensure their sacrifice is never taken for granted.

American Gold Star Mothers

Thank you to American Gold Star Mothers for your support—it means more than I can say! Read what they’re saying about my legislation, the Honor Gold Star Families Act, by clicking below.

Cleaning the Vietnam Veterans Memorial

I had the humbling opportunity to join my colleagues in the For Country Caucus to help clean the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. As we cleaned the surface, it wasn’t lost on me that this simple act was a small way to preserve the memory of those who never came home. It was a moment of reflection, gratitude, and reverence. We owe these heroes more than words. We owe them respect and a commitment to live lives worthy of their sacrifice.

To see With Honor's post about this, click here.

To see more photos, click here.

Share Your Perspective!

1. How do you typically observe Memorial Day?

Attend a Ceremony or Parade

Visit a Memorial or Cemetery

Spend Time With Family and Friends

Moment of Remembrance

Other

2. Do you support increased efforts to educate Americans about the meaning of Memorial Day?

Yes

Unsure

3. Do you know someone who lost his or her life in service to this country?

Yes

4. Would you like to share a story of someone you know who sacrificed his or her life in service to the nation?

* By participating in this survey, you are opting into receiving newsletters from Congressman Matt Van Epps' office.

Click here to take Survey

Mobile Office Hours

My team was proud to serve last week in Benton, Decatur, Dickson, Hickman, Houston, and Wayne Counties! Thank you to all of the local leadership for lending us your spaces to help constituents with federal casework. It is an honor to serve you!

Reminder! We have more mobile office hours coming up.

Click below for dates and locations.

House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

During our most recent SST committee markup, I introduced an amendment to accelerate the commercialization of cutting-edge geothermal projects to meet America’s energy needs.

This proposal amended the Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act by prioritizing geothermal projects that intend to power high-load-factor facilities when the Secretary of Energy is considering grant awards. Federal dollars should prioritize projects that are oriented toward meeting the highest energy demands. Click below to watch my full remarks.

In February 2023, PRC-affiliated Volt Typhoon compromised a Massachusetts water facility. Last month, CISA warned that a U.S water facility was hit with over 1,900 hacking attempts from Iran’s IRGC. Modern warfare is now a confrontation between opposing operational systems rather than merely opposing armies—and our adversaries, namely Iran, are currently seeking to disrupt and destroy the operational capabilities of the key systems facilitating the functions of our drinking water and wastewater utilities.

Click here to see the committee's post on this hearing.

Click below to watch my remarks at SST’s hearing on protecting our nation’s water systems.

House Committee on Homeland Security

"The mission of this committee today is to ensure TSA has what it needs to continue meeting the demands of that challenge––to keep Americans safe––and to do it in a way that both encourages and utilizes American innovation."

Click below to watch my full remarks at the House Homeland Security Committee hearing: “TSA Modernization: Perspectives on Key Security and Travel Reforms 25 Years After 9/11.”

Click here to watch my questions on TSA’s counter-drone capabilities during the House Homeland Security Committee hearing on TSA modernization.

Recognizing the Tennessee National Guard

The Tennessee National Guard’s volunteer spirit reflects the very best of Tennessee: courage, resilience, and selflessness. They remind us that service means a willingness to answer the call at any time—and that’s exactly what these brave men and women do every single day. Click below to watch my Floor speech honoring the Tennessee Guard.

Legislative Updates

I voted in favor of Rep. Walberg’s Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act. This bill requires public schools to obtain parental consent before changing a child’s name, pronouns, gender markers, bathrooms, or locker room access. Parents—not activists, bureaucrats, or school administrators— should make the decisions about their child’s life. Parents have the right to know what is happening with their children at school. That is not controversial. It is common sense.

Equal treatment under the law is a cornerstone of our constitutional system. Yet for years, the federal government has used disparate-impact liability to pressure institutions and businesses into treating Americans differently based on race. That approach has had serious consequences in areas like hiring and housing. That is why I am proud to support Rep. Dave Taylor’s Housing Regulatory Clarity Act, which makes clear that agencies like HUD cannot use disparate-impact standards to justify racial discrimination and instead, must focus on serving every American fairly and equally under the law. Read more about the bill here.

Additionally, I voted for the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act! With the rising cost of housing, more than two-thirds of Tennesseans cannot afford a new home. That’s where this bill comes in. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act speeds up the permitting and construction process for new houses, allowing them to be built more quickly in high-demand Tennessee markets like Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga.

I also voted in favor of the FY2027 funding bill supporting our servicemembers, veterans, and military families. This legislation:

Strengthen military readiness
Fully funds veterans’ care and benefits
Improves the quality of life for military families
Reinforces key national security priorities

Unlocking Digital Assets for American Strength

Establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve is long overdue. Consolidating the Federal Government’s holdings of Bitcoin and other digital assets will empower us to harness these assets for American prosperity. That’s why I am honored to cosponsor Rep. Nick Begich’s American Reserve Modernization Act (ARMA). In addition to establishing a reserve, this legislation promotes transparency by improving the security and oversight of Bitcoin held in the reserve. More importantly, the reserve would be established without cost to American taxpayers, while any sale of Bitcoin would only be for the purposes of reducing our national debt. With a national debt of $39 Trillion, this is an essential piece of legislation. Click below to read more.

Prioritizing Border Security

Under the Trump administration, there have been twelve straight months of ZERO releases at the border! Click below to see the stats from our incredible Customs and Border Protection personnel.

Washington Examiner

Democrats have gone from calling to defund the police to calling to defund ICE. It was clear during the Biden administration that Democrats didn’t care about border security despite the actual humanitarian crisis their open border policies caused. The fact that President Trump has put a stop to this, to them, is unforgivable. Click below to read more from my interview with Chris Tremoglie at the Washington Examiner.

Forge Leadership Academy

Last week, I had the privilege of speaking to amazing young men and women from the Forge Mentorship Academy. I am so impressed with the work the Forge Leadership Network does to equip young conservatives to lead in politics, culture, and business.

Eagle Fest 2026

Dover's Eagle Fest was incredible. This event is always so well done and captures the spirit of Dover and Stewart County. I was glad to attend and honored to speak. Thank you, Mayor Fitzhugh, the city of Dover, and everyone involved in making Eagle Fest great! Most importantly, I want to thank the veterans in attendance who are at the heart of this celebration. Your service and sacrifice are the reason we can gather to celebrate our freedom!

Citizens for Fort Campbell

Fort Campbell is supported by dedicated citizens, proud military families, and veterans across the region who play a vital role in sustaining its mission and supporting those who serve. I appreciate Citizens for Fort Campbell for their visit and advocacy efforts.

Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance

Thank you, Carter Lawrence, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, for stopping by. I appreciate the conversation and your continued work on behalf of Tennesseans.

Remembering the American Revolution

I had the opportunity to visit the American Revolution Traveling Exhibit during its stop in Robertson County this week. Thank you, Daughters of the American Revolution and the American Battlefield Trust, for bringing this incredible exhibit to our community and for your continued work preserving the story of our country’s fight for freedom.

Call Sign Watches

The team at Call Sign takes pride in their craft, and it shows. What an incredible company and great tribute to American aviators.

Honoring Valor and Sacrifice

Some things should never be forgotten—and never go unrecognized. We will continue honoring the warriors who stood in harm’s way, telling their stories out loud, and making sure the next generation understands the cost of freedom. We don’t forget our heroes. Click below to read more about these soldiers' heroism.

Thank You Robertson County First Responders

It’s impossible to recognize everything our first responders do for us every day. Thank you to all of the brave men and women involved in this rescue, and thank you to all of the first responders who serve our district proudly. Click below to read more about the rescue.

National EMS Week

EMS professionals don’t just provide care—they bring calm to chaos, strength to the vulnerable, and hope when it’s needed most. Their commitment, courage, and compassion save lives and strengthen communities across our country every single day. To all who serve on the front lines of emergency medical services: thank you for your sacrifice, your resilience, and your unwavering dedication to others. We are grateful for you.