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Mast Named Vice Chairman of Water Resources & Environment Subcommittee

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Mast Joins 3 Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittees 

Top Priority Will Be Cleaning Florida Waterways

U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18) today was named Vice Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.  He was also named a member of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, as well as the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
“Ensuring our water is safe and clean for future generations is critically important to our community,” Rep. Mast said. “Serving as vice chairman of this important subcommittee will help elevate the voices of the thousands of residents of the Treasure Coast whose lives and businesses are being hurt by Lake Okeechobee water discharges.  Improving the water quality in our community will be my top priority as Vice Chairman of the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee.”
The jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment consists of matters relating to water resources development, conservation and management, water pollution control, water infrastructure and hazardous waste cleanup.  On these issues, the committee works closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is responsible for a number of projects important to water quality in Florida, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Rep. Mast recently hosted Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (PA-9) in the 18th Congressional District for an aerial tour of Florida waterway infrastructure projects.
“Brian is already establishing himself as a leader on water issues in Congress, and after seeing many of the local projects in his community firsthand, I’m confident he’ll be a strong voice for his constituents and our country as Vice Chairman of the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee,” Chairman Shuster said.

Mast Announces Subcommittee, Caucus Membership

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Mast Joins Foreign Affairs Subcommittees on Terrorism, Middle East

U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18) today announced he will sit on two Foreign Affairs subcommittees: The Subcommittee on Middle East and North Africa and the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade. Rep. Mast also announced that he has joined the Everglades Caucus, the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, the 115th Class Caucus and the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Caucus.
The Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa has jurisdiction over a wide range of issues affecting the region, including matters affecting political relations between the United States and countries in the region, legislation with respect to human rights practices, oversight of matters related to the regional activities of the United Nations, development of options for meeting future issues relating to U.S. interests in the region, and oversight of foreign assistance activities affecting the region.
“Having served in Afghanistan, I know firsthand that many of the most pressing threats to our national security have roots among radicals in the Middle East,” Rep. Mast said. “I look forward to the opportunity to help bring stability to this critical region and to continue supporting our greatest Middle East ally, Israel.” 
The Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade has oversight and jurisdiction over U.S. efforts to manage and coordinate international programs to combat terrorism, as well as efforts to bring international terrorists to justice.  The subcommittee also has oversight of issues related to nonproliferation, including nuclear, chemical, biological and other weapons of mass destruction.  Furthermore, the subcommittee may conduct oversight of matters related to international economic and trade policy, as well as commerce with foreign countries.
“As the greatest force for human dignity in the world, I believe the United States has a responsibility to uphold peace and spread democracy abroad,” Rep. Mast said. “We need an aggressive strategy to destroy terrorist organizations like ISIS and prevent the world’s greatest state sponsor of terror, Iran, from obtaining nuclear weapons.  I believe my time studying nuclear weapons and radiological devices in the U.S. Army, as well as my service with the National Nuclear Security Administration, will be an immediate asset to the subcommittee.  Eight years of failed policy has emboldened our enemies; we cannot afford to wait any longer.”
In addition to the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus announced earlier this week, Rep. Mast joined four more caucuses:
The Everglades Caucus
The goal of the bipartisan Everglades Caucus is to educate Members and staff about the Everglades and to foster support for restoration projects.
The Bipartisan Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism
The Bipartisan Taskforce to Combat Anti-Semitism was formed in order to ensure that Congress plays an integral role in condemning anti-Semitism and promoting tolerance worldwide.  The Taskforce serves as a forum for educating Members on this distinct form of intolerance and to engage with the Executive Branch, foreign leaders, and civil society organizations for the sharing of best practices and cooperating on solutions to rebuff this disturbing trend.
The 115th Class Caucus
The 115th Class Caucus brings together Members of the new freshman class on both sides of the aisle with the goal of working in a bipartisan manner to solve our nation’s greatest problems.
The Explosive Ordinance Disposal Caucus
The Explosive Ordinance Disposal Caucus works to coordinate legislative focus on issues related to the disposal of explosive ordinance.  Rep. Mast, who served as a bomb technician in the Army and lost both of his legs when an improvised explosive device exploded beneath him, will serve as a co-chair of this caucus.
Note: Additional caucus membership, as well as subcommittee membership for the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, is forthcoming.

Mast Joins Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus

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U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18) today released the following statement after joining the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus:
“Our community has felt the social and economic consequences of environmental disaster firsthand. The water issues stemming from Lake Okeechobee exemplify why it’s absolutely critical that we work together to strengthen conservation programs, promote public health, defend our environment, keep our air clean and protect our waterways. I’m dedicated to supporting bipartisan initiatives and ensuring a continued dialogue in Congress on ways to protect our air, water and other natural resources. Together, we can find a path forward to protect our planet for future generations.”
The mission of the Climate Solutions Caucus, which is composed of an equal number of Republicans and Democrats, is to educate Members on economically-viable options to reduce climate risk and to explore bipartisan policy options that address the impacts, causes and challenges of our changing climate. The caucus has 20 members and is co-chaired by Congressmen Carlos Curbelo (FL-26) and Ted Deutch (FL-22).
Rep. Mast received a minor in Environmental Studies from the Harvard Extension School.

Mast Calls on White House to Recognize National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

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Letter to President Requests White House be Lit Blue in Recognition of Law Enforcement

U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18), on Jan. 6, 2017, sent a letter to President Barack Obama requesting that the White House be lit blue today in recognition of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.
“Shining a blue light on the White House for a day is a powerful symbol of unified support behind police officers and national leadership toward mending public trust,” Rep. Mast wrote in the letter.
National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day takes place each year on Jan. 9 to show law enforcement officers that citizens recognize the difficult career of public service that law enforcement officers have chosen to undertake.
“An expression of support by the President would serve as a powerful symbol of encouragement to the thousands of law enforcement professionals who daily risk their lives for their fellow citizens,” Martin County Sheriff William Snyder said.
The full text of the letter is below:
January 6, 2017
President of the United States of America
White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
It is with great respect for police officers across our country, and in recognition of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, I request that you light the White House blue on January 9, 2017. Our nation has experienced four tumultuous years of tragic and divisive incidents that left a chasm in the minds of many Americans between peace officers and the citizenry they protect. The complexity and gravity of these incidents ought not be taken lightly, but must not be allowed to cast a disproportionate shadow over the selflessness of officers who risk their lives every day to assure the safety of their neighbors. As you wrote in an open letter to the law enforcement community last year, “as we bind up our wounds, we must come together to ensure that those who try to divide us do not succeed.” Shining blue light on the White House for a day is a powerful symbol of unified support behind police officers and national leadership toward mending public trust.
Last year marked the highest number of law enforcement casualties in the past five years. The law enforcement community lost 140 of their brothers and sisters in the line of duty. My State of Florida endured the untimely deaths of five officers who began a shift to protect and serve their neighbors, but never returned safely home. We mourn for their families and celebrate the lives of the officers, but it would be a monumental statement of national unity to collectively honor their profession at the White House on Monday.
Thank you for your consideration of this request to paint the White House in blue light for National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. It is a modest but potent symbol of our country’s enduring will to reconcile that which would seek to wrongfully divide us and a national expression of our gratitude to each law enforcement officer.
Sincerely,
Brian Mast
Member of Congress

Mast Votes to Disapprove of Anti-Israel UN Resolution

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Mast Served Alongside Israeli Defense Forces Following 12 Years in U.S. Army

U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18) today voted to object to the anti-Israel UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which the Administration refused to veto.  H. Res. 11 passed the House of Representatives 342 to 80.  Rep. Mast was a co-sponsor of the resolution.
Following his 12 years of service in the United States Army, Rep. Mast volunteered to serve alongside the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to show support for their struggle for freedom, democracy and peace in the Middle East.  He is the only Member of Congress to have served with the IDF.
“While I was serving alongside the IDF, I learned at the Shabbat tables of my hosts how much each family in Israel truly desires peace.  Sadly, the current Administration has seriously undermined peace efforts in the region with this shameful stunt at the United Nations,” Rep. Mast said. “The overwhelmingly bipartisan condemnation of the actions of the United Nations and the Administration today proves that supporting Israel will never be an issue of right versus left.  Standing with Israel – for democracy and human rights – will always be an issue of right versus wrong.”
Following the passage of UN Security Council Resolution 2334, Rep. Mast wrote an op-ed for the Times of Israel about his experience serving in Israel and the importance of supporting Israel’s quest for peace.  Earlier today, he spoke on the House Floor in support of H. Res. 11.