Rep. Matt Van Epps files bill to reaffirm the Declaration of Independence ahead of America’s 250th anniversary

Rep. Matt Van Epps, R-Tenn., has introduced legislation to reaffirm the Declaration of Independence ahead of the nation’s 250th birthday, setting the measure against the backdrop of the semiquincentennial commemorations scheduled for 2026.

Van Epps said the bill reflects a congressional tradition of marking major national anniversaries with the founding document, and he linked the timing of his filing to what he described as a rise of socialist politics within the Democratic Party.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Van Epps said Congress previously marked the 100th anniversary of American independence by taking steps tied to the Declaration and that he “felt like this was the right time” for another reaffirmation so “generations forward” understand, in his words, that Americans “love our country at America 250.”

Van Epps, who Fox News reported was elected to Congress in a December 2025 special election, said he filed the measure in response to socialism’s growth in Democratic primaries and pointed to socialist-leaning candidates he said are positioned to win House seats from deep-blue districts anchored in New York City. The report did not provide the bill number or specific statutory language, and the legislation’s text was not available in the materials reviewed for this article.

The initiative arrives as federal and affiliated efforts ramp up for America’s 250th birthday. Separate reporting from The Hill said Freedom 250, described as a public-private partnership, launched a public website,, to serve as a digital hub for the semiquincentennial and to help Americans register and host local events. The platform launch was reported to have included navigation tools for users to find or organize celebrations tied to the founding era.

While Van Epps framed the measure as a response to changing political dynamics in Democratic primaries, the practical legislative effect of his bill will depend on the version filed in the House and on whether it advances through committee and floor action. A reaffirmation bill can also raise questions about how Congress intends to use the Declaration in relation to constitutional law, particularly if the bill’s language extends beyond symbolic reference.

If the bill proceeds, it would likely be considered by the House committee with jurisdiction over the subject matter and, if reported, could move toward a House vote. Any subsequent Senate action would determine whether Congress adopts the final version in time for the 2026 independence anniversary and any associated Freedom 250 programming.