Brian Mast

Brian Jeffery Mast (born July 10, 1980) is an American politician and former United States Army serviceman who serves as the U.S. representative for Florida's 18th congressional district.

Mast was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan and graduated from South Christian High School in 1999. He is the son of James Mast and Tixomena Trujillo. His maternal grandparents were immigrants from Mexico. Mast graduated from the Harvard Extension School where he studied economics with minors in government and environmental studies.

After graduating from South Christian High School in 1999, Mast enlisted in the United States Army Reserve in May of 2000 and went to become a combat engineer. In 2006, he transitioned to the active U.S. Army and became an explosive ordnance disposal technician. Mast later joined the elite 28th Ordnance Company. He served in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. On September 19, 2010, while clearing a path for United States Army Rangers in Kandahar, Mast took a wrong step into an IED along the road. The explosion resulted in the amputation of both his legs and one of his fingers.

Mast and his family were the recipients of a custom ADA-compliant home awarded to them by the non-profit organization Helping a Hero.

After being honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, Mast was hired as an explosives specialist for the United States Department of Homeland Security. While recovering from his injuries at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Mast provided explosive and counter-terrorism expertise to the Office of Emergency Operations at the National Nuclear Security Administration from July 2011 to February 2012 and as an instructor of Home Made Explosives for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

2016 campaign

Mast first considered running for office while recovering from his injuries at Walter Reed Medical Center. It was reported in May 2015 that Mast was considering a run for Congress.

On June 8, 2015, Mast announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination United States House of Representatives in Florida's 18th congressional district. Mast faced five opponents in the August 30, 2016 primary; he won with 38% of the vote. Mast faced Democratic businessman Randy Perkins in the November 2016 general election.

Mast won the November 8, 2016, general election with 53% of the vote.

Tenure

Mast was sworn in on January 3, 2017. He is a member of the Republican Main Street Partnership.

Committee assignments

• Committee on Foreign Affairs
  • Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa
  • Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade
• Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation
  • Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management
  • Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment (Vice Chair)

As of May 9, 2017, Mast had voted with his party in 94.6% of votes and voted in line with Trump's position in 96.6% of the votes.

Abortion

He opposes abortion, with "exception for defense of a mothers life or the case or rape or incest".

Mast supports defunding Planned Parenthood. In July 2015, he claimed that undercover videos had shown Planned Parenthood to be selling "baby parts". The videos in question were altered, and of the multiple investigations into this controversy, none found Planned Parenthood clinics to have sold tissue for profit.

Budget

Mast opposes "federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth" and is in favor of tax cuts as a means to promote economic growth. He has said, "I have not been able to find one country throughout history who is been able to text [sic] more and spend more in order to reduce their debt and grow their economy."

He has called for cuts to welfare expenditures. He has called for a great decrease in the corporate tax and the elimination of the inheritance tax on value above $5 million.

Crime

He favors capital punishment and mandatory minimum sentences.

Donald Trump

Mast supported Donald Trump "unanimously and wholeheartedly" in the 2016 presidential election. After the Billy Bush tape became public, he called Donald Trump's remarks "inexcusable and disgusting."

In February 2017, he voted against a resolution that would have directed the House to request 10 years of Trump's tax returns, which would then have been reviewed by the House Ways and Means Committee in a closed session.

Environment

Mast opposes government funding for the development of renewable energy, and opposes federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions.

Foreign and defense policy

Mast favors "increased American intervention in Iraq and Syria beyond air support". Mast is opposed to cuts to defense spending, and has called for a spending increase. Mast said he would support a Republican proposal to cut U.S. funding to the United Nations.

In January 2015, Mast volunteered with the Israel Defense Forces, working at a base outside Tel Aviv, packing medical kits and moving supplies.

Healthcare

He is in favor of repealing the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). On May 4, 2017, he voted voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act and pass the American Health Care Act.

LGBT rights

He believes that states should decide whether to allow same-sex marriage or not.

During his twelve years of service in the U.S. Army, he received the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal with "V" for valor device.

He was invited by President Barack Obama as a guest to his 2011 State of the Union Address and was seated with First Lady Michelle Obama and Second Lady Jill Biden. Mast was named one of 10 House freshmen to watch by the Washington, D.C. newspaper The Hill, out of 55 new members of the House elected in 2016.

Mast lives in Hutchinson Island in St. Lucie County, Florida with his wife, Brianna, and their three children. He is a practicing Christian and attends the evangelical Calvary Chapel.