Mike Johnson Swears in Matt Van Epps Amid Controversy

On Thursday morning, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) officially swore in Rep. Matt Van Epps (R-Tenn.) following his victory in a closely contested special election. Van Epps, an Army veteran and former commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services, succeeded former Rep. Mark Green (R), who resigned in July. Van Epps won against Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn by approximately nine points, a significantly narrower margin than the 22-point victory margin President Donald Trump had in the district during the previous election.

The Hill

With Van Epps's swearing-in, Republicans now hold a 220-213 majority in the House of Representatives, although this number is expected to decrease next month when Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) departs Congress on January 5.

The Hill

The swearing-in of Van Epps comes amid criticism directed at Speaker Johnson for his handling of the swearing-in process for other members. Notably, Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.) was made to wait 50 days after winning her special election to fill her late father's seat. Johnson attributed the delay to the House not being in session during a 43-day government shutdown, a justification that has drawn skepticism from Democratic leaders. Critics have pointed out the disparity in the timing of swearing-in new members, suggesting that Johnson's actions may have been politically motivated.

The Hill

Democrats have expressed frustration over the perceived inconsistency in Johnson's approach to swearing in members of different parties. Robbie Sherwood, communications director for the Arizona House of Representatives Democratic Caucus, remarked on social media, “I was led to believe that waiting almost two months was customary and totally normal.” The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee also highlighted the contrast in treatment between Grijalva and Van Epps, questioning the rationale behind the delays.

The Hill

In response to the backlash, Johnson has maintained that the delay in swearing in Grijalva was due to procedural issues related to the government shutdown. He has not publicly commented on the timing of Van Epps's swearing-in, which occurred shortly after the election results were finalized.

New Republic

The narrow margin of victory for Van Epps has raised concerns among national Republicans regarding the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. The competitive nature of the special election may signal challenges for the Republican Party in maintaining their majority in the House, particularly in districts that have shown shifting political dynamics.

New Republic

“Remember when he made Adelita Grijalva wait 50 days?” — Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

The Hill

“I was led to believe that waiting almost two months was customary and totally normal,” — Robbie Sherwood, Communications Director for the Arizona House of Representatives Democratic Caucus

The Hill