Matt Van Epps

Congressman Matt Van Epps, Governor Lee, and Members of the Tennessee Delegation Urge President Trump to establish New U.S. Space Academy in Tennessee

Position: The Tennessee congressional delegation and Governor Lee urge the establishment of the proposed United States Space Academy in Tennessee, citing the state's land, testing infrastructure, academic partners, and aerospace and defense institutions.

Congressman Matt Van Epps, Governor Lee, and Members of the Tennessee Delegation Urge President Trump to establish New U.S. Space Academy in Tennessee NASHVILLE, TN – Rep. Van Epps, Governor Lee, Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, and Rep. Scott DesJarlais announced Tennessee’s intention to pursue having the United States Space Academy in the Volunteer State. The initiative, established by President Donald J. Trump to strengthen America’s space superiority, presents an opportunity to build on Tennessee’s existing strengths and prepare the next generation of leaders for America’s future in space. Rep. Van Epps said, “Tennessee offers readily available land, world-class aerospace testing infrastructure, an established academic partner, and a strong network of space, defense, and research institutions. These assets uniquely position Tennessee to serve as the home of the United States Space Academy. As a West Point graduate, I understand the importance of world-class institutions to educate, train, and commission officers for our service branches. I’m confident Tennessee is the best place to equip our armed forces to conduct effective space operations and secure our national security interests in space.” Governor Lee stated, “Someone has to determine what the future looks like, and I’ve long believed that should be Tennessee. From leading the nation in clean, reliable nuclear energy to developing the workforce needed to win the future, the Volunteer State is already leading the next era of American innovation. I’m grateful to President Trump for his leadership to establish the United States Space Academy and to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and the Presidential Commission for their work to bring this vision to life. We look forward to building on our momentum to create new job opportunities for Tennesseans and strengthen America’s leadership in space for generations to come.” Senator Marsha Blackburn said, “From Arnold Air Force Base to Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee has powered our nation’s space and defense enterprise for generations, making us the natural home for the U.S. Space Academy. I am honored to stand with Governor Lee behind our state’s bid to educate and train the next generation of astronauts, engineers, scientists, and warfighters who will keep America dominant in space.” Senator Bill Hagerty said, “Tennessee has the workforce, infrastructure, and determination needed to train the next generation of American space leaders and strengthen our nation’s future in space. I am pleased to stand with Governor Lee as we pursue bringing the United States Space Academy to the Volunteer State.” Congressman Scott DesJarlais stated, “I’m pleased to join with Governor Lee in letting folks know about the great potential for Tennessee to be the home of the United States Space Academy. Tennessee has a great academic reputation in aerospace, science, and engineering, and the University of Tennessee Space Institute has been a national leader in developing these skills for years. With UTSI and Arnold Air Force Base, and a significant number of our citizens already commuting and working in the defense and aerospace sectors in Huntsville—the new home of the United States Space Force—there is a natural synergy, educational and technical experience, and geographical advantage to our state that would make it a natural fit for the academy.” Background: Read Rep. Van Epps’ joint op-ed with Rep. Mike Haridopolis on America’s leadership in space here. Read Rep. Van Epps’ press release on NASA’s reauthorization here. Read Governor Lee’s press release here. Read more about the announcement in the Tennessean and the Chattanooga Free Press, Read President Trump’s announcement here.

Rep. Van Epps’ STORK Act Reduces the Financial Burden of Welcoming a Child

Position: Introduces the STORK Act, which would raise the Health Savings Account contribution limit by $2,000 per child in the year a family has a child through birth or adoption, to help cover maternity and newborn medical costs.

Rep. Van Epps’ STORK Act Reduces the Financial Burden of Welcoming a Child Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Matt Van Epps (TN-07) introduced the Savings for Tomorrow’s Opportunities, Raising Kids (STORK) Act. This legislation raises the Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution limit by $2,000 per child in the year a family welcomes a child through birth or adoption. This will give parents the tax-advantaged savings they need to help cover maternity care, delivery, and newborn medical expenses. Rep. Van Epps said, “Making families stronger and setting them up for success will strengthen our nation as a whole. The United States is one of the most expensive countries to give birth in, costing the average family $25,000, with only a portion of that covered by insurance. It's time to help parents fill in the gap.” He continued, “My wife and I know how hard and how expensive it is to care for a newborn. Getting an unexpectedly expensive hospital bill just as you're figuring out your infant’s sleeping and feeding schedule can be overwhelming. That’s why I want to give new families more choice and more power over their finances. My STORK Act empowers parents to increase their HSA contributions to help meet the costs of maternity care, delivery, and newborn healthcare. Having a baby is expensive; we should empower parents to plan ahead, and Health Savings Accounts are a great way to do that.” Read the one-pager here. Read the bill here.

Rep. Van Epps’ Bill Empowers Domestic Violence Victims to Seek Help

Position: Introduces the SHIELD For Victims Act, which would require federal law enforcement to conduct Lethality Assessments when encountering domestic violence and connect high-risk victims with crisis hotlines and advocates on the spot.

Rep. Van Epps’ Bill Empowers Domestic Violence Victims to Seek Help Washington D.C.—Today, Rep. Matt Van Epps (TN-07) introduced the Screening Harm, Identifying Escalating Lethality Danger (SHIELD) For Victims Act. This legislation would implement an evidence-based intervention program used by first responders to identify victims of intimate partner violence called a Lethality Assessment. Under the Lethality Assessment protocol, victims identified as being at high risk are immediately connected with a domestic violence crisis hotline. This on-the-spot intervention gives victims an opportunity to speak with an advocate, develop a safety plan, and access resources while law enforcement officers are still present. Rep. Van Epps said, “Nearly one in four women have experienced physical violence by an intimate partner. On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. Even more disturbing is how often domestic violence turns deadly. In 2021, intimate partners were responsible for 34% of all murders and nonnegligent manslaughters of women in the United States. It is clear that more must be done to combat domestic violence. That is why I introduced the SHIELD For Victims Act. This legislation trains federal law enforcement officers to conduct a Lethality Assessment when encountering a domestic violence situation. Lethality assessments and similar interventions have proven to reduce the homicides of women by an intimate partner by 40 percent,” he continued. The Congressman concluded, “I am confident that connecting domestic violence victims with resources while in the presence of law enforcement will empower them to protect themselves and their children from an abuser. Taking away an abuser’s ability to intimidate or manipulate is crucial. Domestic violence resource centers can help victims find safe housing and transportation, develop safety plans, and navigate the court system. This bill won’t just help shield victims from domestic violence; it could help them build a new life.” Sharon K. Roberson, Esq., President and CEO, YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee, said, “For more than a decade, YWCA Nashville has partnered with the Metro Nashville Police Department through the Lethality Assessment Program, and we know firsthand that this saves lives. When law enforcement is trained to recognize the warning signs of escalating danger, they can quickly connect victims at the highest risk of being killed with advocates and service providers like the YWCA and our Weaver Domestic Violence Center. The SHIELD for Victims Act would bring this proven, life-saving approach to individuals and communities that interface with federal law enforcement.” Chief John Drake, Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, said, “Conducting proven lethality assessments in response to intimate-partner violence saves lives and breaks cycles of abuse. That’s why the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, in coordination with counselors and victim advocates, has been conducting lethality screenings for years. All Nashville police officers have been trained in the process. Expanding lethality assessment protocols nationally through the SHIELD for Victims Act will help make families and communities safer.” Read the bill here. Read the one-pager here.

Van Epps and McCollum Introduce Bipartisan Critical Materials Future Act

Position: The release supports legislation creating a Department of Energy pilot program to financially support domestic processing of critical minerals, arguing this would reduce dependence on China and strengthen supply chains for defense, semiconductors, batteries, and clean energy.

Van Epps and McCollum Introduce Bipartisan Critical Materials Future Act WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Matt Van Epps (R-TN) and Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) introduced the Critical Materials Future Act. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would establish a pilot program at the Department of Energy to financially support domestic critical material processing projects. “Relying on foreign sources for our critical mineral supply is gambling with both our economic and national security. Today, China leads global processing of key critical minerals, refining more than 90% of graphite and nearly all gallium, which are essential to semiconductors and batteries. China also refines more than 90% of rare earth elements used in magnets for advanced defense technologies,” said Rep. Van Epps. “It is far past time for the United States to end this dangerous dependence. We can do this by paving the way for more critical mineral processing right here at home. That’s why I’m proud to co-lead the Critical Materials Future Act alongside Congresswoman McCollum. This bipartisan legislation establishes a pilot program to support companies committed to building critical mineral processing operations here in the United States. By strengthening our domestic supply chains, this legislation will reduce our dependence on foreign adversaries and move us one step closer to revitalizing the American defense industrial base." “Securing a domestic critical mineral supply chain is essential for manufacturing clean energy technologies,” said Rep. McCollum. “For far too long, critical minerals extracted from our public lands have been shipped overseas for processing to be sold on the global market or bought back by American companies. That is not good stewardship of our natural resources, nor is it a good national security strategy. The Critical Materials Future Act will ensure that when we extract these resources, we also have the capacity to process them here at home.” The U.S. critical minerals list contains 50 minerals—including graphite, nickel, and cobalt—that are essential to our economy, infrastructure, and military capability. Critical minerals are used in smartphones, electric vehicle batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, and more. In December 2024, China announced that it would immediately block the export of three critical minerals—gallium, germanium, and antimony—to the U.S. China currently controls 90% of the global processing capacity for rare earth elements and over 80% of the processing for other critical minerals like cobalt, gallium, and graphite. Experts have become increasingly concerned with U.S. dependence on China for critical materials, arguing it poses a significant risk to national security. The Critical Materials Future Act supports critical material processing projects in the United States by granting the Secretary of Energy the authority and funding to deploy innovative financial mechanisms, such as contracts for differences and advanced market commitments, within this sector. The bill also requires the Secretary of Energy to conduct a comprehensive study on the impact of these financial tools on market dynamics and processing projects within the critical materials sector, and to provide recommendations for expanding their use to strengthen America's processing capabilities. The Senate companion, S. 596, was introduced by Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) with Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Todd Young (R-IN), and referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. In the 118th Congress, Congresswoman McCollum introduced H.R. 5021, the Securing American Critical Minerals Act, a bill to prohibit the sale or transfer of critical minerals to our adversaries.

Rep. Van Epps’s Remarks on Innovation and Disaster Prevention at SST Committee Hearing

Position: The release describes Rep. Van Epps's participation in a House Science, Space, and Technology Committee hearing on disaster prevention and states that advanced technology should be used to help first responders prepare for and respond to natural disasters.

Rep. Van Epps’s Remarks on Innovation and Disaster Prevention at SST Committee Hearing Washington, D.C. - Rep. Van Epps (TN-07) participated in a Science, Space, and Technology (SST) Committee hearing titled “Innovation in Disaster Prevention: Advancing Technology for Prediction and Response.” Watch Rep. Van Epps’ statement and questions here. “Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to our witnesses for being here today. I’m grateful for the work the Chairman and this committee have done to prioritize natural disaster preparedness and response. In 2023, Middle Tennessee was hit by an EF-3 tornado, resulting in 4 fatalities and significant damage. In 2021, deadly flash floods struck Humphreys County, tragically killing 20. When a catastrophic weather event strikes, the lives of Americans can change dramatically – I've seen it firsthand in Tennessee working in the State Government. That’s why we must use the best technology at our disposal to equip first responders to appropriately prepare and respond to these natural disasters.”

Rep. Van Epps’ Resolution on Fifth Anniversary of Afghanistan Withdrawal

Position: Rep. Van Epps condemns the Biden administration's decisions regarding the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, which he states led to the deaths of 13 servicemembers at Abbey Gate, and characterizes the withdrawal as poorly planned. He introduced a resolution on the fifth anniversary of the withdrawal, cosponsored by 47 other members.

Rep. Van Epps’ Resolution on Fifth Anniversary of Afghanistan Withdrawal Read the exclusive from Fox News’ Elizabeth Elkind here. Watch Rep. Van Epps' video press release by clicking here. In light of the fifth anniversary of the Biden administration’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, Rep. Matt Van Epps (TN-07) introduced a resolution condemning the series of decisions that led to the death of 13 servicemembers at Abbey Gate. This resolution was cosponsored by: Rep. Ann Wagner (MO-02), Rep. Daniel Webster (FL-11), Rep. Lauren Boebert (CO-04), Rep. Michael McCaul (TX-10), Rep. Bill Huizenga (MI-04), Rep. Tim Burchett (TN-02), Rep. Randy Fine (FL-06), Rep. Tom Barrett (MI-07), Rep. Barry Moore (AL-01), Rep. Young Kim (CA-40), Rep. Pete Stauber (MN-08), Rep. Max Miller (OH-07), Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14), Rep. Ken Calvert (CA-41), Rep. Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11), Rep. Ronny Jackson (TX-13), Rep. Greg Steube (FL-17), Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13), Rep. Russell Fry (SC-07), Rep. Cory Mills (FL-07), Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02), Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04), Rep. Andrew Clyde (GA-09), Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Rep. Adrian Smith (NE-03), Rep. Andy Barr (KY-06), Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06), Rep. John McGuire (VA-05), Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Rep. Mark Alford (MO-04), Rep. Jim Baird (IN-04), Rep. Roger Williams (TX-25), Rep. Keith Self (TX-3), Rep. Jack Bergman (MI-1), Rep. Darrell Issa (CA-48), Rep. Craig A. Goldman (TX-12), Rep. Michael Lawler (NY-17), Rep. Michael Guest (MS-3), Rep. Clay Fuller (GA-14) Rep. Van Epps said, “The United States spent upwards of two trillion dollars fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan. During these two decades, 2,400 servicemembers were killed while many more were injured. It’s impossible to measure the price of the months and years men and women had to spend away from their families, or the other sacrifices servicemembers make daily when deployed to a war zone. I deployed to Afghanistan eight times after the September 11 terrorist attacks, flying many dangerous missions as part of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR). While in Afghanistan, I saw unspeakable horrors, including the Taliban’s oppression of the Afghan people, and then I witnessed too many of my friends return home in flag-draped coffins. After all of this, watching twenty years of our nation’s collective work collapse in a matter of days was traumatic for many veterans. Despite this, I take solace in the fact that we did our job. We took out high-value terrorist targets and made the world safer as a result. This, however, does not change the fact that this withdrawal was poorly planned.” “Most agree that the United States couldn’t stay in Afghanistan indefinitely, but many also believe that there was a way to leave that didn’t result in an immediate Taliban takeover. While that may be debatable, few disagree that it was President Biden’s flawed decisions and strategic errors that resulted in the bombing at Abbey Gate, stranding 1,000 Americans, leaving billions of dollars' worth of military equipment behind, and deserting our Afghan and NATO allies,” Rep. Van Epps continued. “To make matters worse, President Biden has only ever defended his decision over the years to withdraw from Afghanistan by an arbitrary date regardless of the consequences for U.S. personnel, servicemembers, or the Afghan people. Years later, there has still been no meaningful accountability for one of the most damaging foreign policy failures in recent history. That’s why I am introducing this resolution to the House of Representatives. This resolution will remind the world what weakness on the world stage looks like. And this resolution will remind our country about the cost of capitulating to its enemies instead of leading with resolve,” Rep. Van Epps concluded. Read the resolution here.

Five Years After Abbey Gate, Republicans Say Biden's Failures Still Haven't Been Answered For

Position: The release honors the 13 American servicemembers killed at Abbey Gate and attributes the withdrawal's failures to the Biden-Harris administration. It states that Republicans have rebuilt military strength through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act's $150 billion for national security and the FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act.

Five Years After Abbey Gate, Republicans Say Biden's Failures Still Haven't Been Answered For WASHINGTON, D.C. — Five years ago, an ISIS-K terrorist detonated a suicide bomb at Abbey Gate in Kabul, Afghanistan, killing 13 American servicemembers in the deadliest day for U.S. forces in Afghanistan in over a decade. On this solemn anniversary, Republican Study Committee (RSC) Members honor the memory of these American heroes and the sacrifice they made in service to our country. The botched withdrawal from Afghanistan was the direct result of the Biden-Harris administration’s failure to adequately prepare for the operation and account for the consequences of their decisions. RSC Members remain resolute that a catastrophe of this magnitude must never happen again. President Trump and Congressional Republicans have moved decisively to rebuild the strength our fallen heroes deserved. The Working Families Tax Cuts Act delivered a $150 billion investment into America’s national security, equipping our servicemembers to meet an increasingly evolving threat landscape. House Republicans also passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027, taking a major step toward restoring American deterrence and rebuilding the United States as the world’s preeminent fighting force. RSC Members released the following statements: “Five years ago at Abbey Gate, 13 courageous American servicemembers made the ultimate sacrifice while carrying out a dangerous mission to bring others to safety. We will never forget their bravery, and we continue to mourn with and pray for the families. This solemn anniversary is also a reminder of the catastrophic failures that led to the attack during the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. Honoring the fallen requires accountability and resolve. We must continue to take the necessary steps to ensure our warfighters have the leadership and resources they need to prevent a tragedy of this magnitude from ever happening again,” said Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03), Chairman of the House Committee on Armed Services. “The 13 heroes of Abbey Gate represented the very best of our nation—standing in the breach to save others with extraordinary courage and selflessness. Having made the ultimate sacrifice, their unwavering devotion to duty will forever be etched in our hearts and honored by a grateful nation,” said Rep. Rick Crawford (AK-01), Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. “Abbey Gate showed the world what American weakness looks like. Thirteen heroes lost their lives because the Biden-Harris administration projected chaos instead of strength, and our adversaries took notice. Five years later, Republicans have worked tirelessly to restore what was lost that day. From rebuilding our military to reasserting American resolve on the world stage, we are proving that the era of American weakness is over. We owe it to the fallen at Abbey Gate to make sure this country is never caught in that position again,” said RSC Chairman August Pfluger (TX-11). “We must never forget the August 26th, 2021, Surrender in Afghanistan, one of the most disastrous military and foreign policy mistakes in American history. Sadly, 13 brave U.S. servicemembers were killed after successfully preventing resurgence of terrorism for 20 years. Biden capitulation to the Taliban has made Afghanistan a safe haven for terrorists, putting all Americans at risk. Today, we remember the lives lost, and the sacrifices made for our freedom and safety in America,” said Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-02). “Five years ago, 13 brave American servicemembers made the ultimate sacrifice at Abbey Gate during President Biden’s disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal. Today, we honor their heroism and stand with their Gold Star Families and the other wounded survivors. Their courage and sacrifice will forever be part of the story of our Nation, and we will remain committed to ensuring that American lives and American strength is never taken for granted again,” said Rep. Ronny Jackson (TX-13). “Today, we remember the brave Americans who gave their lives in service to our nation at Abbey Gate. Their sacrifice is a solemn reminder of the courage our servicemembers display every day and our responsibility to ensure their sacrifices were not in vain. We owe it to their families and every American in uniform to ensure our military and leadership are strong enough to prevent a failure like Abbey Gate from ever happening again,” said Rep. Sheri Biggs (SC-03). “Five years after the tragedy at Abbey Gate, we remember the 13 brave American servicemembers who gave their lives protecting our country and the others who were wounded or forever changed by that day. Their sacrifice demands more than remembrance. It demands that we learn from our failures, continue to restore American deterrence, and ensure our military has the resources, capabilities, and leadership necessary to protect Americans and defeat those who seek to harm us. We owe it to the fallen and their families to make sure a failure of this scale never happens again,” said Rep. Matt Van Epps (TN-07). “Afghanistan is personal to me. I wore the uniform there. I served alongside men and women who gave everything they had to that mission, and I saw firsthand the price they and their families paid. Five years ago, at Abbey Gate, 13 American servicemembers were killed while carrying out one of the most difficult missions imaginable. They were doing exactly what their country asked of them until their final moments. Those 13 heroes, and every American who served in Afghanistan, deserved leadership equal to their courage and sacrifice. Instead, the Biden Administration’s disastrous withdrawal ended in chaos, abandoned our allies, and handed Afghanistan back to the Taliban. On this anniversary, we remember the 13 lives stolen at Abbey Gate, we honor every American who served and sacrificed in Afghanistan, and we recommit ourselves to making sure our country never repeats those failures. Their sacrifice demands nothing less,” said Rep. Rich McCormick (GA-07). “Today we remember and honor the 13 servicemembers who were tragically killed at Abbey Gate in the final days of the war in Afghanistan. Their deaths are a painful reminder of the failure in leadership we saw that day, and it is our responsibility not to forget the families whose sons, daughters, brothers, and sisters were returned home in a flag-draped coffin. We owe it to them — and to every American in uniform — to end the era of forever wars once and for all,” said Rep. Tom Barrett (MI-07). “Five years after the attack at Abbey Gate, we pause to remember the 13 American servicemembers who gave their lives and honor the families who will always carry that loss. Their sacrifice demands that we learn from the failures surrounding our withdrawal from Afghanistan, rebuild American military strength and ensure our servicemembers are never again placed in such a vulnerable position,” said Rep. Scott Franklin (FL-18).

Rep. Van Epps Celebrates Passage of Amendment to Strengthen Quantum Technologies out of the SST Committee

Rep. Van Epps Celebrates Passage of Amendment to Strengthen Quantum Technologies out of the SST Committee Washington, D.C.—Today, Rep.Van Epps (TN07) introduced an amendment in the Space, Science and Technology Committee’s markup to reauthorize the National Quantum Initiative Act. This proposal amends the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act to include reviews of the National Quantum Initiative program. Specifically, the amendment directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the National Academies to assess the progress made by the National Quantum Initiative program in meeting its stated goals, including facilitating private sector development. The amendment also directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to review impediments to collaboration between Multidisciplinary Centers for Quantum Research and Education, National Quantum Information Science Research Centers, industry, and academia. You can watch or read Rep. Van Epps’ remarks during the markup below. Image

Rep. Van Epps Votes YES on the Farm, Food, and National Security Act

Position: Rep. Van Epps voted in favor of the 2026 Farm Bill, which expands crop insurance and dairy coverage, invests in rural broadband and water infrastructure, and includes national security provisions for agricultural land purchases.

Rep. Van Epps Votes YES on the Farm, Food, and National Security Act Washington, D.C.—Today, Rep.Van Epps (TN07) voted in favor of the 2026 Farm Bill, also known as the Farm, Food, and National Security Act. This legislation focuses on strengthening agricultural production, rural infrastructure, and domestic food supply chains. From unpredictable weather and rising input costs to volatile global commodity prices, farmers face growing financial uncertainty, which makes long-term planning increasingly difficult. This bill strengthens the farm safety net by expanding crop insurance, dairy coverage, specialty crop research, export promotion, and access to agricultural credit. It also invests in rural broadband, water infrastructure, meat and poultry processing capacity, and precision agriculture technologies that help lower producer costs and improve efficiency. Together, these reforms give farmers more stability and better tools to remain competitive. This legislation also includes national security provisions that would add the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States for certain agricultural transactions and require reviews of agricultural land purchases tied to entities from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Image

Rep. Van Epps Votes to Fund ICE and CBP

Rep. Van Epps Votes to Fund ICE and CBP WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, Rep. Van Epps (TN-07) voted to fund U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection CBP via a reconciliation bill. Democrats have kept the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown for over 70 days, refusing to fund ICE and CBP. The DHS shutdown began on February 14 and is now the longest funding lapse ever recorded for a single federal department. This shutdown has caused operational delays throughout all ten agencies under DHS. From delays and backlogs to retention issues and unpaid bills and contracts, there will likely be long-term consequences due to this shutdown. Image