Hello friends!

This is Congressman Matt Van Epps, the representative of Tennessee’s Seventh Congressional District. I'm excited to share what's been going on in Washington and in the District over the past few months.

I was thrilled to see communities across Tennessee's Seventh District come together to celebrate a remarkable milestone: the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.

Thank you all for showing your love for America and displaying Tennessee values throughout the celebrations and events. I am beyond proud to call this district home and deeply humbled to represent the hardworking, patriotic men and women who make Tennessee's Seventh District such an exceptional place. Together, we honored our nation's past while recommitting ourselves to the principles of freedom, faith, and opportunity that will carry America forward for generations to come. If you missed my special America 250 message, feel free to watch it here.

I was also able to have great conversations both in our district and D.C. as the House passed some key legislation, including my Major Non-NATO Ally Terror Threat Assessment Act!

I am honored to announce that my Major Non-NATO Ally Terror Threat Assessment Act passed the House this week! We cannot ignore the fact that foreign terrorist organizations continue to operate in or around some MNNA countries, creating threats that could have serious consequences for U.S. national security. My bill strengthens coordination between the Department of Homeland Security and Congress to better assess and support MNNA partners as they confront threats within their own borders. Click here to read my press release.

Click below to watch my floor speech.

Thank You Leader Scalise

Thank you, Leader Scalise, for this great treat commemorating the passage of my bill. I’m grateful for your leadership and support in advancing legislation that strengthens congressional oversight, bolsters our national security, and helps ensure our MNNA partnerships remain strong and secure!

NewsNation

I was proud to join NewsNation to discuss Iran and the passage of my new bill.

Listen to the full interview by clicking below.

Tennessee Star

Click below to read an article from the Tennessee Star about the passage of my bill.

AXIOS Nashville

Click below to read about my bill in AXIOS Nashville.

Michael Patrick Leahy

Thank you, Michael Patrick Leahy, for having me on the Tennessee Star to talk about my bill!

Clarksville Conversations with Charlie Koon

Always a pleasure to join Charlie Koon on the #ClarksvilleConversations podcast. We had a great discussion about the work we're doing to support Fort Campbell and the 101st Airborne Division, strengthen our region's infrastructure, and deliver results for the people of Tennessee's Seventh District. Thank you, Charlie, for having me on. Click below to listen to our full conversation.

American Potential Podcast

As I look back on my brief time in Congress, I am reminded of my previous experiences. I am fortunate to bring the lessons I learned from being a cadet at West Point and officer in the Army to represent the Seventh Congressional District. Click here to watch my interview with the American Potential Podcast.

ClarksvilleNow

On July 4, 1776, 250 years ago, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. This document wasn’t merely a letter of separation from Great Britain, but a declaration of what the American experiment was all about: self-government, equal rights, national sovereignty, and consent of the governed. Click below to read more from my oped in ClarksvilleNow.

DailyWire

America could not have reached its 250th year without service and sacrifice—and someone is still making sure there is a 251st. Click below to read more from my oped in the DailyWire.

Fox News

The American experiment is not guaranteed to continue simply because it has endured the past 250 years. Every generation is called to preserve it. Click below to watch my interview with Fox News.

America at Night With Dan Mandis

I was happy to join Dan Mandis for this special broadcast cebebrating our great nation's 250th birthday. Click below to llisten to our conversation.

Men have no right to compete on the same field as women or to snatch medals off of their necks. I applaud the Supreme Court’s decision to protect women athletes. As a father to a young daughter, I am very grateful that she will not be put at risk by this leftist agenda.

I am proud that three of my National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) amendments were made in order by the Rules Committee.

Amendment 302: Report on Defense Prototype Transition to Program of Record

This amendment will help accelerate the delivery of promising technologies to our warfighters. Too often, the gap between research and development and fielding is unnecessarily long, and in a future conflict, those delays could cost lives. Bureaucratic acquisition processes, fragmented oversight, and other institutional barriers prevent successful prototypes from reaching production and operational use. That is unacceptable. By identifying these bottlenecks and holding the Department accountable for addressing them, we can get critical capabilities into the hands of our servicemembers faster.

Amendment 303: Defense Contractor Maximum Production Plan Requirement

. The war in Ukraine demonstrated how quickly modern conflicts consume artillery rounds, precision-guided munitions, air defense interceptors, and other critical systems, exposing serious limitations in Western production capacity and supply-chain resilience. These concerns are compounded by longstanding bottlenecks across the defense industrial base, including single-source suppliers, workforce shortages, long-lead manufacturing requirements, and aging production infrastructure. By requiring greater visibility into surge production capabilities and the obstacles preventing rapid expansion, the amendment would help Congress and the Department of Defense better prepare for the industrial demands of a potential large-scale conflict before a crisis occurs. We can’t leave an inevitable need to ramp up munitions to chance—we need a plan in place.

Amendment 304: Fort Campbell Water and Wastewater Infrastructure

Having served at Fort Campbell, I saw firsthand the challenges posed by its aging water and wastewater infrastructure. This is more than a personal concern. It is a readiness issue and a quality of life issue for our servicemembers and their families. Our servicemembers deserve better. That's why this amendment, which directs an evaluation of water and wastewater infrastructure at our oldest military installations, is so important.

To read more about these amendments, click here.

Click below to read an article about this amendment from ClarksvilleNow.

Housing costs are too high because we don’t have enough homes. That’s why I voted in favor of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act and I am glad it has now passed into law.

Streamlining permits and approvals
Expanding manufactured & modular housing
Empowering community banks to lend locally

This is how you lower costs: Get government out of the way so you can build more!

Every generation deserves the chance to pursue the American Dream. Trump Accounts invest in our children from day one, giving them a stronger foundation to build, innovate, and succeed. As we celebrate 250 years of American greatness, we’re also investing in the next 250. Click below or visit https://trumpaccounts.gov/ to learn more.

Pray4TN Dates in TN-07

I’m grateful to live in a state with leaders who aren’t afraid to publicly call on Tennesseans to pray for our home. If you’re looking to join believers across the district in prayer. Click below to find out more.

Williamson County Health

I appreciate the hospital board for taking the time to carefully evaluate every option and for making this recommendation. The Williamson County Commission is now presented with a significant responsibility, and I am confident they will make the decision that best serves the people of Williamson County.

Kaptain of the Week

Thank you, Nashville Kats, for inviting me to be the Kaptain of the week and for putting on an amazing tribute for your military appreciation night! It was an honor and thrilling to see the Kats win big, clinching a home playoff game! #DefendTheDen

Traveling Vietnam Wall

It was an honor to visit the Traveling Vietnam Wall in Dickson and pay tribute to the brave men and women who served our nation. Thank you Dickson VFW, April Childers of the Middle Tennessee Veterans Coalition, and to everyone who worked so hard to bring this powerful memorial to our community. Your dedication ensures that the sacrifices of our Vietnam veterans are never forgotten and gives a new generation the opportunity to reflect, remember, and honor their service. Welcome home, and thank you to every Vietnam veteran.

The application to apply for service academy nominations is now open! As a proud graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, I understand the hard work and determination needed to apply and attend the service academies. Although it is no easy task, my time at West Point was invaluable to me, and it truly prepared me to understand the fight for freedom. The deadline to apply is Thursday, October 30th, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Click below to apply.

Service Academy Day

Thinking about serving your country and becoming a leader? Join my team for our Service Academy Day to meet representatives from our nation’s Service Academies and ROTC programs, learn about the application process, and explore the opportunities available to future military leaders. Click below to RSVP.

AbilityOne Champion Award

Thank you, SourceAmerica and Global Connections to Employment (GCE), for presenting me with the AbilityOne Champion Award. Every American deserves the opportunity to succeed through meaningful work. I have seen the incredible work you all do at Fort Campbell and across our country. Your mission strengthens military readiness, supports federal operations across America, and opens doors for workers with disabilities.

American Association of Senior Citizens

Putting our senior citizens first is not just good policy, it’s our responsibility. Thank you to the American Association of Senior Citizens for recognizing my support for seniors’ healthcare, retirement security, and quality of life. I’m grateful for the honor and remain committed to these issues.

Butler, PA, July 13, 2024

The attempted assassination of President Trump and the killing of firefighter and father, Corey Comperatore, was a defining moment in our country. It showed the senselessness of political violence and the determination of President Trump to put our country first—even at the expense of his own safety.

Working Families Tax Cut Anniversary

I am proud to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Working Families Tax Cut! This landmark legislation benefits everyone from seniors and parents, to car owners, farmers, and tipped workers.

I want to extend my sincere thanks to the outstanding interns who served in my Washington and district offices. Their hard work, professionalism, and dedication have made a meaningful impact on our team and the constituents we serve every day.

From assisting with constituent services and legislative research to supporting outreach across Tennessee's Seventh District, they approached every task with excellence and a genuine desire to serve. It has been a privilege to watch them grow throughout the summer, and I have no doubt they each have bright futures ahead.

Thank you for your commitment to public service and for representing Tennessee's Seventh District so well. We wish you continued success in all that lies ahead, and we look forward to seeing the difference you will make in your communities and beyond.

Click below to watch a special video celebrating our interns good work.

CNBC recently released a ranking naming Tennessee the "worst state to live in," based on criteria that many Tennesseans would hardly recognize as the values that make a community thrive. Here in Tennessee, we know our state is defined by strong families, thriving communities, economic opportunity, and the freedoms that make it a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Take a moment to complete the brief survey below and let me know what makes Tennessee such a special place to call home.

Click here to read about the CNBC rankings.

1. Do you agree with CNBC's ranking of Tennessee as the "worst state to live in"?