Miami Mayor Francis Suarez congratulates Mast on Foreign Affairs gavel

MIAMI - Miami Mayor Francis Suarez congratulated Florida Republican Rep. Brian Mast on Monday after House Republicans selected him to chair the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

"Congratulations to the next chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, @RepBrianMast. Brian has always put America First, and I know he will support @realdonaldtrump in ensuring our foreign policy reflects strength, clarity, and the bold vision that these times demand," Suarez said. 

According to reports, Mast beat out California Republican Rep. Darrell Issa, South Carolina Republican Rep. Joe Wilson, and Missouri Republican Rep. Ann Wagner for the chair. The 44-year-old congressman will replace Texas Republican Rep. Michael McCaul, who was term-limited for the position and did not seek a waiver.

Mast's selection was specifically made by the House GOP Steering Committee, a panel of approximately 30 lawmakers that includes leadership and elected regional representatives. The committee's pick now moves to the whole House for ratification, which will take place early next year.

Notably, the panel's choice is almost always backed by the party.

With the gavel, Mast is likely to have a full deck overseeing multiple conflicts on the world stage, which includes the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Ukraine's war against Russia, and the recent ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the Middle East.

Among his duties, Mast will be responsible for reviewing United States weapons sales to foreign countries, as well as the discretion to block such deals. However, Mast is unlikely to disapprove of any military assistance to Israel, a major U.S. ally, as the country continues to fend off threats from Iran and its proxies, which include Hamas.

Unlike Israel, military assistance by Mast to Ukraine could be a different story, as the Trump-allied congressman has opposed aid to the country in the past.

In a recent interview on "Meet the Press", Trump also said Ukraine could "possibly" receive less military aid once he assumes office in January.

Outside of politics, Mast served in the U.S. Army for more than 12 years and was awarded a Purple Heart. While on duty, Mast lost both of his legs after stepping on an IED during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

Mast has represented Florida's congressional district since 2017. The area includes St. Lucie County, Martin County, and the northeastern part of Palm Beach County on the state's southeast coast.