Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., is the House GOP Steering Committee's choice to chair the Foreign Affairs Committee in the next Congress.
Mast, a strong supporter of President-elect Donald Trump, prevailed against a group of contenders, including Reps. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., Joe Wilson, R-S.C., and Ann Wagner, R-Mo., Axios reported.
Mast's position on Ukraine aid aligns more closely with Trump's stance than that of Wagner and Wilson.
Recommendations by the Steering Committee, a panel of about 30 lawmakers including leadership and elected regional representatives, must be ratified by the whole House.
Mast, who currently serves as the chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight, will replace Chair Michael McCaul, R-Texas, who's term limited out of the position.
Mast, an Army veteran whose honors include a Purple Heart, has served in the House since 2017.
He will take the Foreign Affairs Committee gavel during a time of much international turbulence, which includes Israel's ongoing war in Gaza, rebels ousting President Bashar al-Assad in Syria, Russia's war in Ukraine, and concerns about China attempting to take over Taiwan.
Considering the committee reviews U.S. weapons sales to foreign countries, The Hill reported Mast is unlikely to oppose any arms sales to Israel or Middle East allies that are viewed as key partners in pushing back against Iran.
The House GOP Steering Committee also selected Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., to lead the Energy and Commerce Committee, and Rep. Brian Babin, R-Texas, to lead the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, The Hill reported.
Guthrie defeated Rep. Bob Latta, R-Ohio, for the role to lead a panel that oversees energy, environment, technology, and healthcare. He will replace retiring Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash.
"I am humbled and excited to get to work next Congress to deliver on President Trump and House Republicans' America First agenda," Guthrie said in a statement. "We must work together to restore America's energy dominance and lower energy prices, protect children's online safety and ensure America remains the world leader in technological innovation, and protect access to life-saving treatments while lowering health care costs."
Charlie McCarthy ✉
Charlie McCarthy, a writer/editor at Newsmax, has nearly 40 years of experience covering news, sports, and politics.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.