Brian Mast Recommended as Chair of House Foreign Affairs Committee

According to Politico this week, Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) has been recommended by the House Republican Steering Committee to become the next chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, pending approval by the full conference. Mast, who faced competition from Reps. Ann Wagner (R-Mo.), Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), and Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), was selected during a closed-door session. The committee's outgoing chair, Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), is term-limited and withdrew his bid for a waiver to stay on.

Mast, a strong supporter of former President Trump and a leader in the Veterans for Trump initiative, prevailed in a contentious selection process involving significant lobbying. His leadership will position the committee to navigate critical issues, including debates over additional Ukraine aid and broader foreign policy challenges under the next administration. The Ukraine aid debate highlights divisions within the GOP, and Speaker Mike Johnson has ruled out new funding before Trump’s potential return to office. Read the article here.