Rep. Brian Mast’s (R-Fla.) surprising selection to be the next chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee is the latest sign of the Republican Party being reshaped by the next generation of "America First," pro-Trump leaders.
Considered a dark horse in the race, the decorated war veteran, who dons prosthetic legs after stepping on an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan in 2010, beat three more senior House Republicans to lead the committee in the next Congress.
Some sources had the impression that President-elect Trump — who has favored elevating Florida lawmakers in his incoming Cabinet — had influence in Mast securing the gavel, though one Steering Committee member said Mast “did it all on his own.”
“I have a great relationship with President Trump. Obviously, I represent his area down there,” Mast told The Hill, referring to his Mar-a-Lago area district.
Mast said that the vision he presented to House GOP Steering Committee leaders on Monday focused on an “America First” mission statement: “Every diplomat and every dollar puts America first.”
“We want to be the partner of choice abroad,” Mast said. “It can't be because you do things like drag shows in Ecuador, or atheism in Nepal or, you know, take your pick of things. Those are not things that make America the partner of choice — they’re a waste of taxpayer dollars that most people would not agree with even if it did make us a partner for somebody.”
Mast also forecast plans for the committee to conduct a major reauthorization........