Mark Green is a Republican congressman representing Tennessee’s 7th congressional district since 2019. He currently serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security and is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Throughout his career, Mark Green has established himself as a conservative leader focused on national security, border control, and fiscal responsibility. His military background and experience in healthcare have influenced his legislative priorities, particularly in areas related to veterans’ affairs and defense policy. However, his controversial statements on social issues have drawn criticism and affected his political trajectory, most notably seen in his withdrawn nomination for Army Secretary. As Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Green has taken a prominent role in shaping border security policies and overseeing the Department of Homeland Security.
Career Path to Congress:
- Graduated from West Point and served as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army.
- Became a flight surgeon after graduating from medical school, serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.
- Founded an emergency department staffing company after retiring from the military in 2006.
- Elected to the Tennessee State Senate in 2012, serving until 2018.
- Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018 and took office in January 2019.
Legislative Sponsorship:
- Introduced the Balanced Budget Amendment in 2019 and 2021.
- Sponsored the Protecting Gold Star Spouses Act and the Protecting Gold Star Children Act.
- Authored key parts of H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act.
- Introduced legislation to streamline the Department of Homeland Security’s intelligence apparatus.
- Opposed transgender rights, controversially comparing transgender individuals to ISIS militants in 2016.
- Made contentious remarks about Muslims, referring to a “Muslim horde” during a town hall meeting.
- Co-sponsored H.R. 7, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2025.
- Advocates for reducing government spending and regulation.
- Supports a balanced budget amendment to require Congress to pass and maintain a balanced budget.
- Worked on legislation aimed at protecting small businesses and rural hospitals.
National Defense and NDAA:
- Served on the House Armed Services Committee in previous terms.
- Selected for the NDAA Conference Committee in 2019 and 2020.
- Introduced the Spiritual Readiness amendment in the FY20 NDAA.
- Advocated for K2 veterans exposed to hazardous chemicals during service in Afghanistan.
Controversial Statements and Actions
- In 2017, Green withdrew his nomination for Army Secretary after facing criticism for his comments on LGBTQ individuals and Muslims
- Compared transgender people to ISIS militants in a 2016 radio interview
- Made controversial remarks about Muslims at a town hall meeting, referencing a “Muslim horde
- Recently led the impeachment of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, citing “willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law