Matt Van Epps

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

Van Epps, Blackburn Introduce Legislation to Ensure National Guard Members Receive Federal Benefits

Position: The release advocates for legislation to ensure National Guard members serving in federal public safety missions receive active-duty federal benefits, regardless of whether the mission is formally designated a national emergency.

Van Epps, Blackburn Introduce Legislation to Ensure National Guard Members Receive Federal Benefits Read the exclusive in the Tennessee Star here. WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. Matt Van Epps (TN-07) and U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced the Guard Equal Benefits for Federal Missions Act to ensure that National Guard members patrolling U.S. cities receive active-duty benefits for their service. Last month, President Trump announced National Guardsmen serving on the Memphis Safe Task Force and in other cities would receive deployment pay and benefits equal to those of active-duty troops. “As an active member of the National Guard, I appreciate the impact of the Tennessee National Guard’s work to make Memphis safe again. I applaud President Trump's directive extending national emergency-level benefits to Guardsmen serving in the Memphis Safe Task Force, and I am proud to co-lead the Guard Equal Benefits for Federal Missions Act with Senator Marsha Blackburn to codify that policy permanently into law. This legislation ensures that National Guard personnel serving full-time in support of federal agencies such as ICE, DEA, and ATF receive the benefits their service deserves,” said Representative Van Epps. “The Memphis Safe Task Force has successfully driven crime down by 43%, and thanks to President Trump and Secretary Hegseth, Tennessee National Guardsmen are now receiving the federal benefits they have earned while restoring law and order,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Guard Equal Benefits for Federal Missions Act would ensure National Guard members get the benefits they’ve earned when they are called up to support federally directed public safety missions, regardless of how the operation is designated.” Background: The Memphis Safe Task Force was established on September 29, 2025, to combat violent crime in the city of Memphis. This task force is being coordinated by local, state, and federal law enforcement as well as the Tennessee National Guard. Since its launch, the Task Force has driven down overall crime by 43 percent compared to a year ago. Last month, President Trump and Secretary Hegseth took action to ensure National Guard members serving on the Task Force receive the same benefits as active-duty troops. Prior to this, Tennessee National Guard members supporting “Restoring Law and Order in Memphis” were ineligible for benefits typically associated with extended, involuntary service because the mission was not designated as a national emergency. While the Trump administration’s action resolves the issue for this mission, gaps remain in the statute that could affect future operations. The Guard Equal Benefits for Federal Missions Act would ensure that any future deployment of National Guard members under 32 U.S.C. § 502(f) in support of federally directed public safety operations is treated as qualifying service for federal benefits, regardless of whether the mission is formally designated as a national emergency. This bill would provide that full-time National Guard duty performed under 32 U.S.C. § 502(f) shall be treated as service in response to a national emergency if such duty is: Authorized by the President or the Secretary of War; Performed in direct support of federally directed public safety operations, including those conducted in coordination with federal agencies; and Carried out for the purpose of addressing significant criminal activity, drug trafficking, organized crime, or other threats to public safety as determined by the Secretary of War. Click here for bill text. Click here for the one-pager.