Rep. Mark Green’s departure from Congress became official on Sunday, leaving the U.S. House of Representatives with 431 seated members and four vacancies. Green’s resignation slightly shifts the balance of power to 219 Republicans and 212 Democrats, though his Tennessee seat is expected to remain safely in GOP control.
Green, a Republican representing Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District since 2019, had previously announced that he would step down after the House passed President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” — a sweeping reconciliation package. That vote occurred before the chamber’s self-imposed July 4 deadline, and Green confirmed to Fox News Digital that his last day would be July 20.
In a statement, Green called representing the district “the honor of a lifetime” and cited a “too exciting to pass up” opportunity in the private sector as the reason for his retirement.
“They asked me to deliver on the conservative values and principles we all hold dear, and I did my level best to do so,” Green said. “Along the way, we passed historic tax cuts, worked with President Trump to secure the border, and defended innocent life.”
Green served as chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, where he oversaw the Republican-led impeachment of former DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. He also played a central role in shaping and advancing the border security provisions included in Trump’s budget legislation.
Though he had previously considered stepping down after the last Congress, Green said he stayed on specifically to shepherd Trump’s border security priorities through the House. “By overseeing the border security portion of the reconciliation package, I have done that,” he said.
Green’s seat, which Trump carried by over 20 points in 2024 against then-Vice President Kamala Harris, is widely considered safe for Republicans. A special election will be held to fill the vacancy.
Before leaving office, Green endorsed Army veteran and former Tennessee DGS Commissioner Matt Van Epps as his successor. “Matt Van Epps has my complete and total endorsement,” Green said, praising Van Epps as a “true warrior” and fellow member of the same Army special operations unit.
Van Epps responded by thanking Green for the endorsement and pledged to “put the people of the 7th District first.” He added, “Congressman Green has left some very large shoes to fill, but I’m ready to step in and continue his work on behalf of Tennesseans.”
Van Epps is likely to face a competitive Republican primary. Other declared candidates include Montgomery County Commissioner Jason Knight, Army veteran Jonathan Thorp, Main Street Health executive Mason Foley, and state Reps. Jay Reedy, Lee Reeves, and Jody Barrett.
