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Mast Announces Subcommittee, Caucus Membership

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Brian Mast logo

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 Secures Spot on Transportation & Infrastructure, Foreign Affairs Committees

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Florida Water Infrastructure will be Top Priority
on Transportation & Infrastructure Committee

12-Year Army Veteran Served Alongside IDF in Israel

U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18) today was named to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee.
As the newly sworn-in Representative for Florida’s 18th Congressional District, Rep. Mast’s top priority was securing a position on the Transportation and Infrastructure committee.  In this role, Rep. Mast will be best positioned to make progress on a number of important infrastructure projects in the 18th Congressional District, including pressing water infrastructure concerns that must be resolved with the United States Army Corps of Engineers to protect the region from environmental disaster.
“Serving on the Transportation and Infrastructure committee puts me in the best possible position to tackle the pressing water issues in our community,” Rep. Mast said. “Fighting for clean, safe water for future generations is a non-negotiable priority.  I’m committed to tackling these issues head on to ensure that the projects affecting the Indian River Lagoon and our beaches are prioritized moving forward.”
Rep. Mast was also named to the Foreign Affairs Committee.  A 12-year Army veteran, Rep. Mast fought on the front lines of the war against terror and has the physical scars that serve as a daily reminder of the enemy we face and their desire to destroy our way of life.
“My time in the military will allow me to better serve our country by bringing the perspective of a soldier to the critical foreign affairs debates in Congress,” Rep. Mast said. “In the last 8 years, America’s retreat from an international leadership role has left a vacuum of power that is now being filled by our enemies, including ISIS.  I look forward to reversing this troubling trend by working with our allies, including Israel, to spread the American ideals of freedom and democracy abroad.” 
Rep. Mast served as a bomb technician under the Joint Special Operations Command.  Following his military service, Rep. Mast worked with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the National Nuclear Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security, as well as volunteering to serve alongside the Israeli Defense Forces.
“Congressman Mast – a former special operator in the Army – displayed incredible bravery in service to our country,” Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (CA-39) said. “His personal experience will be vital to our efforts to defeat ISIS and other terrorist organizations.”
ABOUT THE TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has jurisdiction over all modes of transportation: aviation, maritime and waterborne transportation, highways, bridges, mass transit, and railroads.  The Committee also has jurisdiction over other aspects of our national infrastructure, such as clean water and waste water management, the transport of resources by pipeline, flood damage reduction, the management of federally owned real estate and public buildings, the development of economically depressed rural and urban areas, disaster preparedness and response, and hazardous materials transportation. The Committee’s broad oversight portfolio includes many federal agencies, including the Department of Transportation, the U.S. Coast Guard, Amtrak, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the General Services Administration, the Army Corps of Engineers, and others.
ABOUT THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
The House Committee on Foreign Affairs considers legislation that impacts the diplomatic community, which includes the Department of State, the Agency for International Development (USAID), the Peace Corps, the United Nations, and the enforcement of the Arms Export Control Act.