Washington, D.C. – December 4, 2025 – House Speaker Mike Johnson officially swore in Matt Van Epps as the newest member of the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday morning, restoring the Republican majority to 220-213 just 48 hours after Van Epps won a closely watched special election in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District.
Standing on the House floor with his hand on a children’s Bible, the 42-year-old Army combat veteran and former state official took the oath of office to thunderous applause from Republican colleagues. “Congratulations, you’re now a member of the 119th Congress,” Speaker Johnson declared.
In his first remarks to the chamber, Van Epps kept his message direct and aligned with the priorities that carried him to victory: “My commitment is simple — lower prices for Tennesseans, bring down health care costs, protect our communities, and restore American energy independence and economic strength. I will work every day with President Trump and my colleagues in this House to deliver on the America First agenda.”
Van Epps, a West Point graduate who flew Black Hawk helicopters in Iraq and Afghanistan, fills the seat vacated by Rep. Mark Green, who resigned in July to enter the private sector. The district, which stretches from suburban Nashville to rural counties along the Kentucky and Alabama borders, has long been solidly Republican, but Tuesday’s special election proved unexpectedly competitive.
Van Epps defeated Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn 53.9% to 45.1% — a nine-point margin that, while comfortable, represented the strongest Democratic performance in the district in decades. Behn, a progressive organizer from Nashville, ran on kitchen-table issues like repealing the state grocery tax, expanding Medicaid, and fully funding public schools and hospitals. She significantly overperformed recent Democratic benchmarks, especially in Davidson County, and has already signaled interest in a 2026 rematch.
The race drew national attention and millions in outside spending. President Trump personally endorsed Van Epps, calling him a “MAGA warrior,” while Speaker Johnson campaigned in the district on the eve of the election. On the Democratic side, high-profile surrogates including former Vice President Kamala Harris and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez knocked doors in Nashville.
Van Epps’ arrival brings the total House membership to 433, with Republicans now holding 220 seats and Democrats 213. Two vacancies remain (Texas-18 and New Jersey-11), meaning the GOP’s working majority remains razor-thin — any single defection or absence could hand Democrats control on key votes.
For Speaker Johnson, whose leadership has faced repeated challenges from within his own conference, Van Epps’ swearing-in provides a brief moment of breathing room. The new congressman immediately signaled he would be a reliable vote for the Trump-Johnson agenda, particularly on energy production, border security, and cutting federal spending.
As he left the House floor surrounded by well-wishers, Van Epps told reporters he was “honored and humbled” by the trust placed in him and ready to get to work. “Middle Tennessee sent me here with a clear message,” he said. “They want results, not rhetoric. That starts today.”
