Home Republicans chosen Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) to chair the Home Overseas Affairs Committee within the 119th Congress, sources advised The Hill, because the convention works to arrange its panels for the subsequent two years of Republican-controlled Washington
Republicans additionally chosen Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas) to guide the Home Committee on Science, House and Know-how, sources stated.
The chair picks have been made by the Home GOP Steering Committee, a panel of roughly 30 lawmakers that features management and elected regional representatives. Their suggestions should be ratified by the entire Home, which is able to possible happen early subsequent 12 months.
The Steering Committee is predicted to pick the remaining committee chairs this week.
Right here’s extra info on the committee chair choices.
Home Overseas Affairs Committee
Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) addresses the Republican Nationwide Conference on the Fiserv Discussion board in Milwaukee, Wis., on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.
Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) beat out the competitors from three skilled members of the committee, successful the gavel to succeed Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), who was term-limited from operating for the place once more and opted towards in search of a waiver. Reps. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) and Ann Wagner (R-Mo.) have been additionally vying for the gavel.
Mast has served within the Home since 2017, chairing the Subcommittee on Oversight and Accountability. He served within the U.S. Military for greater than 12 years, the place he earned a Purple Coronary heart, amongst different honors.
The Florida Republican will enter the high-ranking place at a tenuous second on the world stage, because the battle between Israel and Hamas continues, Ukraine’s struggle towards Russia drags on, and Syria reels from the autumn of the regime led by Bashar al-Assad.
One of many major powers of the chair and rating member is overview of U.S. weapons gross sales to international international locations, and the chance to train a maintain to dam such gross sales. Mast is unlikely to oppose any weapons gross sales to Israel or Center East allies which might be considered as key companions in pushing again towards Iran’s risk into the area.
Mast, a Trump ally, may also wield the gavel as President-elect Trump appears to be like to advance his “America First” mantra by way of laws.
Trump’s efforts to ascertain a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine; assist for Israel and the plight of American hostages held by Hamas within the Gaza Strip; the shock ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and confronting China’s threats to U.S. safety pursuits are simply among the high line points the chair will face.
Overseas coverage initiatives might additionally embody laws sanctioning officers with the Worldwide Prison Court docket over issuing of arrest warrants for Israeli officers; sustaining a block on help for UNWRA, the United Nations Palestinian refugee company; eliminating programming on the State Division that promotes LGBTQ visibility and blocking help to any initiative that gives info on abortion entry.
Mast drew headlines final 12 months after, as a approach to present his assist for Israel, he wore to the Capitol his uniform for the Israeli navy, which he volunteered to serve alongside after his time within the Military.
Home Committee on Science, House and Know-how
Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas) arrives to the Home Chamber for the ultimate vote sequence of the week on Wednesday, September 25, 2024.
Babin is slated to be the subsequent chairman of the Home Committee on Science, House and Know-how, a supply confirmed to The Hill, taking the reins from Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), who was term-limited from in search of one other spherical atop the panel and as an alternative in search of the gavel for the Monetary Providers Committee.
Babin is at the moment the chairman of the Subcommittee on House and Aeronautics. Nobody challenged him for the brand new function.
