WASHINGTON, D.C. – 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.

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