A bipartisan pair of House lawmakers introduced legislation Thursday that would turn President Trump's executive order on a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve into permanent statute. The American Reserve Modernization Act (ARMA), co-led by Rep. Matt Van Epps (R-TN) and Rep. Nick Begich (R-AK), would lock in Bitcoin holdings seized through federal forfeiture for at least 20 years and require quarterly public audits. The bill's 18 original co-sponsors span nine states.
What the bill does
ARMA codifies Trump's March 2025 executive order, putting the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve inside the U.S. Treasury. Only Bitcoin from federal law enforcement seizures and civil penalties goes in. Sales? Only allowed to chip away at the national debt. The bill explicitly says the reserve won't cost taxpayers a dime. It also includes language affirming that the feds can't mess with your right to own, transfer, or self-custody digital assets. And there's a 20-year minimum holding period — no quick flips. Every quarter, the Treasury must publish a Proof of Reserve report, plus independent third-party audits.
Van Epps's Bitcoin credentials
Van Epps isn't just any freshman congressman. He represents Nashville, Tennessee — a city that's become a Bitcoin hub. Think Bitcoin Park, a growing digital asset community, and the annual Bitcoin conference returning in 2027. Van Epps himself is a West Point grad and a former combat helicopter pilot. He won his seat in a December 2025 special election. So when he talks about Bitcoin and national strategy, he's got both policy and military credibility.
The national debt angle
The U.S. national debt sits at $39 trillion. Van Epps argues that a Bitcoin reserve, with its fixed supply and history of appreciation, offers a long-term hedge. No one's saying it fixes the debt overnight. But the bill's logic is simple: hold what you've already seized, don't sell it for decades, and if you ever do, use the proceeds to pay down debt. No new taxes, no new spending. That message helped get 18 co-sponsors from nine states — a decent showing for a freshman-led bill.
What happens next
The Senate path is murky. Competing crypto legislation is already moving through committee, and senators have their own ideas about digital asset policy. Whether ARMA gets a floor vote depends on whether Senate leaders see codifying the reserve as a priority. For now, the bill heads to committee. Van Epps will have to make his case all over again.
