Matt Van Epps joins us from Washington. He serves on the Homeland Security Counterterrorism and Intelligence Subcommittee and receives regular classified briefings on Iran. "Iran with a nuclear weapon would hold the world hostage to a level we have never seen before." A veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, Van Epps says Congress recently affirmed the President’s authority under Article 2 of the War Powers Resolution to act in Iran — but he believes all options should remain on the table, including the draft. "At the end of the day, we want the Commander in Chief to have the ability to execute the mission with the resources that he needs to get it done."

During his campaign, Van Epps vowed to increase the death gratuity for Gold Star Families. His bill proposes raising the payment from $100,000 to $200,000, with annual cost-of-living adjustments to match inflation. "This is the right thing to do for families after their loved ones paid the ultimate price." The bill also calls for retroactive coverage back to Jan. 1, 2026, including deaths from Epic Fury.

NewsChannel 5+ can be seen on Comcast/Xfinity Ch. 250, Spectrum/Charter Ch. 182 and over the air on Ch. 5.2.  Inside Politics also streams live Fridays at 7pm and Saturdays at 3pm on our website: https://www.newschannel5.com/live3   as well as the NewsChannel 5 Now app on Connected TVs through Roku, AppleTV, AndroidTV, etc. 

The episode will air throughout the weekend on NewsChannel 5+  Sat. at 5:30am, 3pm, Sun. at 1am, 9am, 7pm, Mon. at 2:30pm and Tues., 3pm unless pre-empted.

This story was reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Matt Van Epps joins us from Washington. He serves on the Homeland Security Counterterrorism and Intelligence Subcommittee and receives regular classified briefings on Iran. "Iran with a nuclear weapon would hold the world hostage to a level we have never seen before." A veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, Van Epps says Congress recently affirmed the President&rsquo;s authority under Article 2 of the War Powers Resolution to act in Iran &mdash; but he believes all options should remain on the table, including the draft. "At the end of the day, we want the Commander in Chief to have the ability to execute the mission with the resources that he needs to get it done."
During his campaign, Van Epps vowed to increase the death gratuity for Gold Star Families. His bill proposes raising the payment from $100,000 to $200,000, with annual cost-of-living adjustments to match inflation. "This is the right thing to do for families after their loved ones paid the ultimate price." The bill also calls for retroactive coverage back to Jan. 1, 2026, including deaths from Epic Fury.
NewsChannel 5+ can be seen on Comcast/Xfinity Ch. 250, Spectrum/Charter Ch. 182 and over the air on Ch. 5.2.&nbsp; Inside Politics also streams live Fridays at 7pm and Saturdays at 3pm on our website: <a href="https://www.newschannel5.com/live3">https://www.newschannel5.com/live3</a>&nbsp;&nbsp; as well as the NewsChannel 5 Now app on Connected TVs through Roku, AppleTV, AndroidTV, etc.&nbsp;
The episode will air throughout the weekend on NewsChannel 5+&nbsp; Sat.&nbsp;at 5:30am, 3pm, Sun. at 1am, 9am, 7pm, Mon. at 2:30pm and Tues., 3pm unless pre-empted.
This story was reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Inside Politics is a weekly, half-hour show televised by NewsChannel 5+ in Nashville, Tennessee. It premieres on Fridays at 7PM Central Time (Comcast Channel 250, Charter 182). This audio-only format of the show is identical to what is televised and is available anywhere you get your podcasts so you can listen outside of the viewing area or available for download in case you miss the televised broadcast. 

The show features numerous high-profile guests as well as historical and political subject matter experts including professors from Vanderbilt University, reporters from other Nashville news outlets, and household name politicians like Representative Jim Cooper, former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, Congressman John Rose, Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, and more. 

Pat Nolan serves as the show's host. Pat has worked as a political analyst and reporter in and around Nashville for almost fifty years. He has worked in television, radio, and for the Office of the Mayor in Nashville. He has covered breaking news stories, live election updates, and for many years served as announcer for Nashville Metro Council meetings. 

Inside Politics is a weekly, half-hour show televised by NewsChannel 5+ in Nashville, Tennessee. It premieres on Fridays at 7PM Central Time (Comcast Channel 250, Charter 182). This audio-only format of the show is identical to what is televised and is available anywhere you get your podcasts so you can listen outside of the viewing area or available for download in case you miss the televised broadcast. 
The show features numerous high-profile guests as well as historical and political subject matter experts including professors from Vanderbilt University, reporters from other Nashville news outlets, and household name politicians like Representative Jim Cooper, former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, Congressman John Rose, Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, and more. 
Pat Nolan serves as the show's host. Pat has worked as a political analyst and reporter in and around Nashville for almost fifty years. He has worked in television, radio, and for the Office of the Mayor in Nashville. He has covered breaking news stories, live election updates, and for many years served as announcer for Nashville Metro Council meetings.

Weekly political news show featuring lawmakers, political analysts, lawyers, panelists, and university professors.

Inside Politics - NewsChannel 5 Plus Nashville

 Inside Politics — Nashville’s go-to conversation for smart, in-depth political insight.

Every week,  Peabody award winning NewsChannel 5 investigative reporter Ben Hall sits down with the power players, power brokers, and policy experts shaping Tennessee and the nation. From in-depth interviews with political heavyweights like TN House Speaker Cameron Sexton, Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell, Congressman John Rose, Nashville Police Chief John Drake, and U.S. Representative Matt Van Epps, to sharp analysis from university professors, veteran reporters and subject matter experts — from Tennessee to D.C. these are the voices shaping our future. 

Inside Politics premieres on The Spot 28 every Friday at 7 p.m. Central (Comcast/Xfinity 1028 or over-the-air Ch. 28), this audio version is the exact broadcast — available anywhere you get your podcasts, so you won’t miss a beat no matter where you live.

If you care about the decisions shaping your community, Inside Politics delivers the conversations you need to hear.

 

 

 

 

&nbsp;Inside Politics&nbsp;&mdash; Nashville&rsquo;s go-to conversation for smart, in-depth political insight.
Every week,&nbsp; Peabody award winning NewsChannel 5 investigative reporter Ben Hall sits down with the power players, power brokers, and policy experts shaping Tennessee and the nation. From in-depth interviews with political heavyweights like TN House Speaker Cameron Sexton, Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell, Congressman John Rose, Nashville Police Chief John Drake, and U.S. Representative Matt Van Epps, to sharp analysis from university professors, veteran reporters and subject matter experts &mdash; from Tennessee to D.C. these are the voices shaping our future.&nbsp;
Inside Politics premieres on The Spot 28&nbsp;every Friday at 7 p.m. Central (Comcast/Xfinity 1028 or over-the-air Ch. 28), this&nbsp;audio version&nbsp;is the exact broadcast &mdash; available anywhere you get your podcasts, so you won&rsquo;t miss a beat no matter where you live.
If you care about the decisions shaping your community,&nbsp;Inside Politics&nbsp;delivers the conversations you need to hear.
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