[CAPTURE PORTAL] 119TH CONGRESS
Legislative Integrity Monitor
Goblin House Intelligence
Congress → Officials → Matt Van Epps

Matt Van Epps

Republican · Representative, TN ·7

Matt Van Epps is the Republican U.S. Representative (TN's 7th congressional district). The platform has 3 voting records on file (2026) and 45 verified facts on file covering this member's voting positions, financial disclosures, and stated platform commitments.

Score Components
59 MODERATE
Connection Density 20%
78 → 16
Donor Influence 15%
31 → 5
Silence Risk 25%
100 → 25
Contradiction Risk 25%
48 → 12
Intelligence Volume 15%
52 → 8
Constituency Deviation 0%
15 → 0
Voting Misalignment 0%
0 → 0
% = weight in composite score · Raw component 0–100 × weight = weighted contribution (→) · Sum of contributions = overall score. Hover a row for details.
Van Epps issued no press release, floor statement, or public comment explaining or defending his vote on H.R. 7613. A search of his official House website and news coverage found zero statements on the ALERT Act, despite the bill falling within the jurisdiction of two of his three committee assignments (Transportation & Infrastructure and Armed Services).
secondary · 2026-04-14 ✓ Verified
The ALERT Act is an aviation safety bill, not a national security bill. It was introduced by Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO), Chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, on February 20, 2026, following the NTSB's final investigation of the January 29, 2025 DCA midair collision that killed 67 people. The bill addresses all 50 NTSB safety recommendations and requires ADS-B In equipment on virtually all aircraft…
[ Show full fact ]
The ALERT Act is an aviation safety bill, not a national security bill. It was introduced by Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO), Chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, on February 20, 2026, following the NTSB's final investigation of the January 29, 2025 DCA midair collision that killed 67 people. The bill addresses all 50 NTSB safety recommendations and requires ADS-B In equipment on virtually all aircraft by December 31, 2031.
primary · 2026-04-14 ✓ Verified
H.R. 7613 passed the House by a vote of 396–10 under suspension of the rules, with 196 Republican Yeas, 9 Republican Nays, 199 Democratic Yeas, 1 Democratic Nay, and 25 members not voting. The 9 Republican NAY votes included Rep. Ogles (R-TN-05), Van Epps' neighboring Tennessee Republican, creating an intrastate delegation split on the vote.
primary · 2026-04-14 ✓ Verified
Van Epps voted YEA on Roll Call 110 (H.R. 7613, ALERT Act) on April 14, 2026. The House Clerk's official member profile (clerk.house.gov/Members/V000139) records '4/14/2026 | 110 | H. R. 7613 | ALERT Act | Yea | Passed.' This is a primary government record confirming the vote without qualification.
primary · 2026-04-14 ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Race/Ethnicity — Hispanic: 8.2%
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Race/Ethnicity — Black (Non-Hispanic): 15.3%
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Race/Ethnicity — White (Non-Hispanic): 69.3%
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Cook Partisan Voting Index: R+20
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Foreign-born population: 5.92%
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Median age: 35.6
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Poverty rate: 12.5%
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Bachelor's degree or higher: 29.3%
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Homeownership rate: 63.5%
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Population (2024): 791,449
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Demographic anchor: Median household income: $75,800
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Ballot measure: Tennessee Constitutional Amendment 1 — Right to Work (2022) (2022) — passed, margin 69.8%-30.2%
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Dominant industry: NAICS 484110 - General Freight Trucking (share 0.04)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Dominant industry: NAICS 722511 - Full-Service Restaurants (share 0.05)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Dominant industry: NAICS 622110 - General Medical and Surgical Hospitals (share 0.08)
secondary ✓ Verified
[constituency_baseline] Dominant industry: NAICS 611110 - Elementary and Secondary Schools (share 0.1)
secondary ✓ Verified
US Department of Defense (Pentagon) oversight A formal complaint alleged Van Epps violated U.S. Department of Defense rules by appearing in his U.S. Army uniform throughout a campaign ad, which the…
US Army employment Van Epps was an Army Special Operations helicopter pilot with nine combat tours; his campaign heavily emphasized his military combat record and featured his…
Bill Lee employment Van Epps served as Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services (2024-2025) and worked in the Veterans Services and Transportation departments…
Sam Graves legislative sponsor / committee chair Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO), Chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, introduced H.R. 7613 (ALERT Act) on which Van Epps voted Yea.
Tennessee Valley Authority constituency interest Van Epps' Tennessee district includes areas served by the Tennessee Valley Authority, a known entity connected to the regional economy and energy…
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure committee assignment Van Epps serves on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. The ALERT Act (H.R. 7613) on which he voted Yea falls within this committee's jurisdiction…
Donald Trump endorsed by Trump called Van Epps a 'MAGA Warrior' and endorsed him in the 2025 special election; campaign ads highlighted Trump's endorsement.
Andrew Ogles neighboring congressman / intrastate delegation split On H.R. 7613 (ALERT Act), Van Epps voted Yea while Rep. Ogles (R-TN-05) was one of 9 Republican NAY votes, creating an intrastate delegation split.
US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) legislative subject Van Epps voted Yea on H.R. 7147 (DHS Appropriations Act, 2026) and H.R. 8029 (Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act), both of which funded DHS operations and aligned…
Guarding Our Lasting Democracy donor $5,000 to Matt Van Epps's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (1 contribution), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00881268/
Space Coast Leadership PAC donor $9,000 to Matt Van Epps's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (5 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00877506/
Texas Values PAC donor $5,000 to Matt Van Epps's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (1 contribution), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00863217/
Mountaineer PAC donor $5,000 to Matt Van Epps's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (1 contribution), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00847087/
Highwater PAC donor $5,000 to Matt Van Epps's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (1 contribution), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00832568/
American Israel Public Affairs Committee PAC donor $5,000 to Matt Van Epps's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (1 contribution), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00797670/
Carry On PAC donor $5,000 to Matt Van Epps's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (1 contribution), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00787879/
Ranger PAC donor $10,000 to Matt Van Epps's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (2 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00767640/
Lasting Investments Strengthening America PAC donor $5,000 to Matt Van Epps's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (1 contribution), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00764886/
Apl PAC donor $5,000 to Matt Van Epps's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (1 contribution), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00764415/
Tractor Supply Company Political Action Committee donor $15,000 to Matt Van Epps's principal committee in the 2026 cycle (3 contributions), FEC Schedule A line 11C. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00763664/
BillVoteDateAlignment
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United… Yea 2026-09-16 unknown
Water Resources Development Act Yea 2026-09-16 unknown
Retire through Ownership Act Yea 2026-09-16 unknown
PROOF Act Yea 2026-09-16 unknown
Ratepayer Protection Act Yea 2026-09-16 unknown
National Fraud Enforcement Division Act Yea 2026-09-16 unknown
An Act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood… Yea 2026-09-16 unknown
Fostering the Use of Technology to Uphold Regulatory Effectiveness in… Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Providing for consideration of the bills H.R. 9576 and H.R. 10326, providing… Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Providing for consideration of the bills H.R. 9576 and H.R. 10326, providing… Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Diesel Emissions Reduction Act Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
GUARD Act Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers… Nay 2026-09-15 unknown
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United… Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Whistleblower Protection Act Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes… Yea 2026-09-15 unknown
National Wildlife Refuge System Invasive Species Strike Team Act Yea 2026-09-14 unknown
Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act Yea 2026-09-14 unknown
Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act Yea 2026-09-03 unknown
Protecting Domestic Mining Act Yea 2026-09-02 unknown
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require… Yea 2026-09-02 unknown
In the matter of allegations relating to Representative Chuck Edwards Yea 2026-09-01 unknown
Providing for the condemnation and denouncement of socialism in all its forms… Yea 2026-09-01 unknown
Providing for consideration of the bills (H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, and H.R… Yea 2026-09-01 unknown
To amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 to extend the time period… Nay 2026-09-01 unknown
To amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 to extend the time period… Yea 2026-09-01 unknown
Providing for consideration of the bills (H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, and H.R… Yea 2026-09-01 unknown
AGOA Extension Act Yea 2026-09-01 unknown
Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act Yea 2026-08-31 unknown
Last contradiction analysis: Never
statement_vs_disclosure 60/100
Platform: "Van Epps' campaign messaging and endorsements emphasized his military combat record, with his campaign logo featuring a silhouetted Chinook combat helicopter and his website featuring photos of him in military uniform…
[ Show full platform position ]
Van Epps' campaign messaging and endorsements emphasized his military combat record, with his campaign logo featuring a silhouetted Chinook combat helicopter and his website featuring photos of him in military uniform. Trump called him a 'MAGA Warrior.' Van Epps stated on the House floor that he was an 'Army Special Operations helicopter pilot with nine combat tours.'
"
Vote: on "Tennessee veteran Dillon Scott filed a formal complaint alleging Van Epps violated U.S. Department…"
Van Epps made his military service central to his campaign identity, but a formal complaint alleged his use of uniform in a campaign ad violated Pentagon regulations prohibiting political appearances in uniform. Van Epps' campaign dismissed the complaint as 'desperate nonsense.' The contradiction is not directly…
[ Show full analysis ]
Van Epps made his military service central to his campaign identity, but a formal complaint alleged his use of uniform in a campaign ad violated Pentagon regulations prohibiting political appearances in uniform. Van Epps' campaign dismissed the complaint as 'desperate nonsense.' The contradiction is not directly between two Van Epps statements but between his campaign's presentation of military credentials and allegations of improper military-proxy politicking.
same_source_inconsistency 30/100
Platform: "Van Epps ran as a pro-freedom, anti-mandate conservative aligned with Trump, with his campaign emphasizing 'Tennessee led the nation in opposing mandates' and 'protecting Tennesseans' personal freedoms' as the Lee…
[ Show full platform position ]
Van Epps ran as a pro-freedom, anti-mandate conservative aligned with Trump, with his campaign emphasizing 'Tennessee led the nation in opposing mandates' and 'protecting Tennesseans' personal freedoms' as the Lee administration's COVID-19 legacy.
"
Vote: on "During the Republican primary, opponents attacked Van Epps as 'Tennessee's Fauci,' alleging he…"
[auto-downgraded: both claims come from the same source host] Van Epps campaigned as an anti-mandate, pro-freedom conservative aligned with Trump while having served in the Tennessee Unified Command Group that crafted and executed stay-at-home orders, business closures, mask policies, and social-distancing mandates…
[ Show full analysis ]
[auto-downgraded: both claims come from the same source host] Van Epps campaigned as an anti-mandate, pro-freedom conservative aligned with Trump while having served in the Tennessee Unified Command Group that crafted and executed stay-at-home orders, business closures, mask policies, and social-distancing mandates during the pandemic. His administrative role at the center of the state's COVID-19 response stands in tension with his campaign messaging opposing mandates. Gov. Lee's office described Van Epps' role as 'administrative,' not policy-making, but the contradiction between campaign rhetoric and pandemic-era government service remains.
Last silence detection: Wed, 14 Oct 2026 00:55:40 GMT (via scheduled run)
No debate with Democratic opponent Aftyn Behn during general election
56d silent
Expected position: As a candidate seeking to represent the 7th District, Van Epps would be expected to participate in at least one public debate or forum with his general-election opponent, particularly given the district's competitive nature and national…
[ Show full donor-interest summary ]
Expected position: As a candidate seeking to represent the 7th District, Van Epps would be expected to participate in at least one public debate or forum with his general-election opponent, particularly given the district's competitive nature and national attention. Evidence of activity on adjacent topics: TNPOLITICO confirmed that as of October 20, 2025, neither major-party nominee had committed to a public debate and there was no announcement of any public face-to-face forum. Van Epps instead emphasized routine appearances with Republican officials and local party groups. During this window, Van Epps appeared on 'Inside Politics' and gave interviews to Breitbart and other outlets. Primary URL: https://tnpolitico.com/2025/10/20/tn7-debate-silence-analysis/
Policy questionnaire from Nashville Banner during 2025 general election campaign
36d silent
Expected position: As a candidate for federal office, Van Epps would be expected to respond to a nonpartisan local newspaper's policy questionnaire covering issues currently before Congress (inflation, tariffs, abortion, infrastructure, whether Congress…
[ Show full donor-interest summary ]
Expected position: As a candidate for federal office, Van Epps would be expected to respond to a nonpartisan local newspaper's policy questionnaire covering issues currently before Congress (inflation, tariffs, abortion, infrastructure, whether Congress should investigate Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell's conduct). Evidence of activity on adjacent topics: The Nashville Banner sent a policy questionnaire to all TN-07 general election candidates. Van Epps' campaign did not respond. The Banner framed the exercise as basic voter accountability and received 'crickets' from Van Epps. During this same window, Van Epps was actively doing media appearances including Inside Politics (Nov. 1) and Breitbart News Daily (Dec. 2), and maintaining campaign social media activity. Primary URL: https://tnpolitico.com/2025/10/22/tn7-race-quiet-mode/
Release of Jeffrey Epstein files
18d silent
Expected position: As a candidate for Congress, Van Epps would be expected to clarify his position on whether the Epstein files should be released, after third-party attack ads claimed he opposed their release. Evidence of activity on adjacent topics: A…
[ Show full donor-interest summary ]
Expected position: As a candidate for Congress, Van Epps would be expected to clarify his position on whether the Epstein files should be released, after third-party attack ads claimed he opposed their release. Evidence of activity on adjacent topics: A Your Community PAC ad warned voters 'The Epstein files are locked away. Matt Van Epps will keep them that way.' Axios and Raw Story reported the Epstein files had been injected into the race by Democrats. Van Epps did not publicly address the issue, leaving the ad unanswered. During this same window, Van Epps was actively campaigning and doing media appearances. Primary URL: https://www.axios.com/2025/11/14/jeffrey-epstein-files-tennessee-special-election
alcohol, tobacco & gambling
National Beer Wholesalers Association PAC (Nbwa PAC) (amounts: $5,000 (2026)) — interest area: alcohol, tobacco & gambling
other / unclassified
Republican Mainstreet Partnership PAC, Seal PAC Supporting Electing American Leaders PAC, American Revival PAC, Ranger PAC (amounts: $5,000 (2026), $10,000 (2026), $10,000 (2026), $10,000 (2026)) — interest area: other / unclassified
corporate pacs, industry unlisted
Corecivic, Inc. Political Action Committee (Corecivic PAC), Asurion LLC Political Action Committee (Asurion PAC) (amounts: $5,000 (2026), $5,000 (2026)) — interest area: corporate pacs, industry unlisted
ideological & single-issue
Senate Conservatives Fund, With Honor PAC (amounts: $5,000 (2026), $5,000 (2026)) — interest area: ideological & single-issue
law & lobbying firms
Baps Public Affairs, Inc. PAC (Baps PAC), American Israel Public Affairs Committee PAC (amounts: $5,000 (2026), $5,000 (2026)) — interest area: law & lobbying firms
other candidates' committees
Jim Jordan For Congress, The Guardian Fund (amounts: $6,000 (2026), $7,500 (2026)) — interest area: other candidates' committees
colleagues' leadership pacs
Raptor PAC, Conservative Opportunity Leadership & Enterprise PAC - Colepac, Making A Responsible Stand For Households In America (Marsha PAC), Eye Of The Tiger PAC, Bringing Republican Excellence To Town PAC (Brettpac), Truth Is Markets Work Fund A/K/A Tim…
[ Show full donor-interest summary ]
Raptor PAC, Conservative Opportunity Leadership & Enterprise PAC - Colepac, Making A Responsible Stand For Households In America (Marsha PAC), Eye Of The Tiger PAC, Bringing Republican Excellence To Town PAC (Brettpac), Truth Is Markets Work Fund A/K/A Tim W Fund, Patriots In Action, First In Freedom PAC, Mr. Southern Missourian In The House PAC, Rural America Counts PAC, Building America'S Republican Representation PAC, Electing Majority Making Effective Republicans (Emmer PAC), In The Arena PAC, Restoring Our Nation, Re-Joyce PAC, Help Elect Republicans Now, Buckeye Liberty PAC, Senate Eagle PAC, Fight On PAC, Apl PAC, Lasting Investments Strengthening America PAC, Highwater PAC, Mountaineer PAC, Space Coast Leadership PAC, Guarding Our Lasting Democracy, Carry On PAC (amounts: $10,000 (2026), $5,000 (2026), $10,000 (2026), $10,000 (2026), $6,000 (2026), $5,000 (2026), $10,000 (2026), $5,000 (2026), $5,000 (2026), $5,000 (2026), $10,000 (2026), $10,000 (2026), $5,000 (2026), $5,000 (2026), $5,000 (2026), $5,000 (2026), $10,000 (2026), $10,000 (2026), $8,500 (2026), $5,000 (2026), $5,000 (2026), $5,000 (2026), $5,000 (2026), $9,000 (2026), $5,000 (2026), $5,000 (2026)) — interest area: colleagues' leadership pacs
alcohol & tobacco
National Beer Wholesalers Association PAC (Nbwa PAC) (amounts: $5,000 (2026)) — interest area: alcohol & tobacco
National Beer Wholesalers Association PAC (Nbwa PAC) Alcohol & tobacco $5,000 (2026)
Guarding Our Lasting Democracy Colleagues' leadership PACs $5,000 (2026)
Space Coast Leadership PAC Colleagues' leadership PACs $9,000 (2026)
Texas Values PAC Party committees $5,000 (2026)
Mountaineer PAC Colleagues' leadership PACs $5,000 (2026)
Highwater PAC Colleagues' leadership PACs $5,000 (2026)
American Israel Public Affairs Committee PAC Law & lobbying firms $5,000 (2026)
Carry On PAC Colleagues' leadership PACs $5,000 (2026)
Ranger PAC Other / unclassified $10,000 (2026)
Lasting Investments Strengthening America PAC Colleagues' leadership PACs $5,000 (2026)
Apl PAC Colleagues' leadership PACs $5,000 (2026)
Tractor Supply Company Political Action Committee Retail & consumer $15,000 (2026)
Fight On PAC Colleagues' leadership PACs $8,500 (2026)
Baps Public Affairs, Inc. PAC (Baps PAC) Law & lobbying firms $5,000 (2026)
Raptor PAC Colleagues' leadership PACs $10,000 (2026)
TopicPriorityAlignmentDeviation
Government Transparency & Ethics 68 40 45
Healthcare Access & Rural Hospitals 76 65 20
Agriculture & Rural Economy 78 70 20
Transportation & Infrastructure Funding 82 75 18
Education & School Funding 74 70 15
Energy & Environment 70 72 12
Aviation Safety & Infrastructure 92 95 10
Defense & Military Spending 80 85 10
Veterans Affairs 79 82 10
Trade & Manufacturing 72 75 10
Homeland Security & Border Enforcement 88 90 8
Taxes & Economic Policy 85 88 5
No platform commitments archived
No committee memberships recorded
Scoring Methodology

The Capture Risk Score is a composite 0–100 index measuring potential regulatory capture of elected officials. It is computed from seven weighted components:

ComponentWeightSignal
Contradiction Risk30%Stated positions contradicted by the record (recent findings boosted)
Donor Influence20%Distinct documented donors (FEC Schedule A PACs); inferred donors do not count
Connection Density20%Mapped relationships to lobbyists, contractors, interest groups; donor links excluded
Silence Risk15%Topics where donors have interests but the official is silent
Intelligence Volume15%Documented facts from verified sources
Constituency Deviation0%Shown, not weighted — a model estimate, not a record
Voting Misalignment0%Shown, not weighted — needs platform commitments almost nobody has; the roll-call record on /votes is the vote signal

Each component is the member's standing among all scored members of Congress, and the weighted sum is the overall score. Tiers are ranks: Critical is the top 5%, High the next 10%, Elevated the next 20%, Moderate the next 30%, and Low the rest.

Officials without at least 2 documented facts, 1 contradiction analysis, 1 voting record, or 1 constituency baseline are marked Insufficient Evidence and excluded from numeric ranking.

Contradiction findings from the last 180 days receive a recency boost. High-severity contradictions (score ≥ 70) receive additional weight.

Full methodology: /congress/methodology

[PUBLIC COST ESTIMATE]
Documented financial relationships span 0 money flow chains, while 2 elected officials hold documented connections.
$3.9BDonor Contributions
0Money Chains
0Traced Hops
Connected Officials
  • Andrew Ogles U.S. House · neighboring congressman / intrastate delegation split
  • Sam Graves U.S. House · legislative sponsor / committee chair
Calculation Methodology

Contract values are summed from documented money flow chains where this entity appears as a source or destination node. Amounts are drawn from USASpending.gov, FEC filings, SEC EDGAR, or LD-2 lobbying registrations.

Donor contributions aggregate documented amounts from the donor_interests table, sourced from FEC individual and PAC contribution filings.

Connected officials are elected officials in our database with a mapped relationship (lobbying, board membership, campaign contribution, etc.) to this entity.

Annualised flow represents the total documented dollar amount traced through money flow hops involving this entity. Where hop-level amounts are unavailable, the chain-level documented total is used as a conservative upper bound.

All figures are drawn from public filings. Estimates are conservative — undisclosed transactions, dark money, and vanish-point hops are excluded from totals. This is a minimum documented floor, not a ceiling.

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