This resolution elects Mr. Van Epps to two standing committees: Homeland Security and Science, Space, and Technology. It uses the standard House language that the named member “be, and is hereby, elected” to the specified committees and that the Clerk attest the election.
The action is a routine adjustment of committee membership for the 119th Congress. While procedural in nature, committee seats determine who leads discussions, frames oversight priorities, and votes on legislation in these areas.
At a Glance
What It Does
The bill elects Mr. Van Epps to the Committee on Homeland Security and to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. This changes the membership rosters of those two standing committees.
Who It Affects
Directly affects the two committees’ rosters and voting dynamics; affects staff and counsel who support those committees’ work.
Why It Matters
Adds a voting member with potential influence over homeland security and science policy discussions, signaling where the House seeks expertise and representation on these high-priority areas.
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What This Bill Actually Does
This is a narrow, procedural measure in the House. HR940 simply appoints Mr. Van Epps as a member of two standing committees: Homeland Security and Science, Space, and Technology.
The action uses the conventional language, stating the member is elected to the committees, with the Clerk of the House attesting the election. There is no policy change or appropriation attached to the resolution; it does not authorize funding or alter jurisdiction.
Instead, it adjusts the committee roster, enabling Mr. Van Epps to participate in hearings, deliberations, and votes related to the committees’ oversight and legislative work. The result is a small but meaningful alteration in the House’s internal governance, with potential implications for how those two committees weigh issues within their purview.
This kind of membership change is routine but carries importance for the affected committees’ access to expertise and for the representation of policy priorities in those areas.
The Five Things You Need to Know
The bill elects Mr. Van Epps to the Homeland Security Committee.
The bill also elects Mr. Van Epps to the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.
HR940 is a House resolution introduced on December 10, 2025.
The Clerk is instructed to attest the election.
The measure affects standing committee membership in the 119th Congress.
Section-by-Section Breakdown
Every bill we cover gets an analysis of its key sections.
Election to Homeland Security Committee
Section 1 states that Mr. Van Epps is elected to the Committee on Homeland Security. Practically, this adds him to the committee’s membership roster for the current Congress, allowing participation in hearings and votes on homeland security matters. This change is procedural in nature but changes who may influence the committee’s oversight and legislative activities in this area.
Election to Science, Space, and Technology Committee
Section 2 repeats the mechanism for the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. By electing Mr. Van Epps to this panel, the House expands the pool of voices shaping policy on science and technology issues, including research funding, innovation, and related oversight.
Attestation by Clerk
Section 3 accounts for the attestation by the Clerk. The text requires the Clerk to attest the election, formalizing the action in the official record and ensuring the membership change is reflected in the chamber’s administrative documents.
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Explore Government in Codify Search →Who Benefits and Who Bears the Cost
Every bill creates winners and losers. Here's who stands to gain and who bears the cost.
Who Benefits
- Mr. Van Epps gains formal seats on two influential committees, enabling participation in hearings, amendments, and votes related to homeland security and science policy.
- The Committee on Homeland Security benefits from an additional voting member, which can affect deliberation dynamics and policy emphasis within the Committee’s remit.
- The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology benefits from another voting member, potentially impacting priority setting and oversight in science and technology issues.
Who Bears the Cost
- House staff time and resources required to onboard the new member and adjust committee rosters.
- Other committee members may experience minor changes in roster composition and scheduling as the new member participates in meetings.
- Administrative costs associated with updating records and attestation documentation handled by the Clerk’s office.
Key Issues
The Core Tension
The central tension is between rapid, targeted changes to committee membership to reflect current priorities and the need for transparent, rules-based processes that preserve balance and predictability in committee composition.
HR940 is a narrowly targeted membership adjustment, not a policy proposal or funding measure. While straightforward, such changes can have subtle effects on how committees operate, including shifting the balance of expertise and influence on key issues.
Readers should consider how this and other membership changes interact with broader norms around committee balance, minority/majority representation, and how quickly personnel shifts can be incorporated into committee calendars and hearings. The bill does not specify term length, successor mechanisms, or how future vacancies would be filled, leaving questions about consistency of process if more changes arise in the same session.
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