The U.S. House of Representatives passed the first-ever bill in Congress by Rep. Matt Van Epps (R-TN-07).
The Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) Terror Threat Assessment Act, which requires the federal government to monitor terrorist activity originating in each non-NATO ally country, will be sent to the Senate for consideration.
According to the bill proposal, the secretary of homeland security, along with the secretary of state and the director of national intelligence, would need to submit an initial terrorism threat assessment within 180 days of the bill’s enactment. After that, a report would need to be issued every two years.
The report would identify terrorist groups operating in a country, what those groups are doing, and how the non-NATO ally country is fighting back against the terrorist groups.
Furthermore, the report would also need to address how the United States government can mitigate a country’s threats to America and prevent members of the terrorist group from entering America.
Van Epps, who won a special election to replace Mark Green in December 2025, said he was “grateful” for the House passing the MNNA Act.
“When the United States designates a nation as a Major non-NATO ally, it’s a significant move. Giving a country MNNA status is not merely symbolic; it comes with practical benefits, but also risks,” he said.
“This legislation strengthens coordination between the Department of Homeland Security and Congress to better assess and support MNNA partners as they confront terrorist threats within their own borders,” he added. “This will ensure Congress has the information it needs to provide effective oversight as a partner with this administration.”
Currently, Van Epps, a military veteran, is running for reelection in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District. He is running unopposed in the Republican primary, while six Democrats are vying to face him in the general election.
Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan election analyzer, rates the district as favoring Republicans.
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Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of The Star News Network. Email tips to Zachery at [email protected].
