Congressman Brian Mast represents Florida’s 21st Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. His tenure in Congress has been marked by a commitment to veterans’ affairs, national security, and various legislative initiatives. Below is an overview of his career and positions on key issues.
Career Path to Congress
- Military Service: Brian Mast served in the U.S. Army for over 12 years, following in his father’s footsteps. As a bomb disposal expert under the elite Joint Special Operations Command, he was deployed to Afghanistan, where he earned several commendations, including the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal for Valor, the Purple Heart Medal, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. During his service, he sustained severe injuries resulting in the loss of both legs.
- Post-Military Career: After his military service, Mast worked with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as an explosives specialist. He also pursued higher education, earning a degree from Harvard University.
- Entry into Politics: Mast was first elected to Congress in 2016, representing Florida’s 18th Congressional District. Following redistricting, he has been serving the 21st District since 2023.
Sponsored Legislation
Throughout his tenure, Congressman Mast has sponsored and co-sponsored various bills reflecting his policy priorities:
- Ceasing Age-Based (CAB) Trucking Restrictions Act: This legislation aims to remove unnecessary government red tape that prevents 18 to 20-year-olds with commercial driver’s licenses from transporting cargo from overloaded ports, thereby addressing supply chain issues.
- Vaccine Mandate Reenlistment Act: This bill seeks to address concerns related to vaccine mandates within the military, focusing on reenlistment policies.
- Hamas International Financing Prevention Act: Aimed at preventing international financing of Hamas, this legislation underscores Mast’s focus on national security and counterterrorism.
- No Tax Breaks for Radical Corporate Activism Act: This bill proposes to eliminate tax breaks for corporations engaging in certain activist activities deemed radical.
- Land and Water Conservation Fund Amendments Act: This legislation focuses on amendments to the Land and Water Conservation Fund, reflecting Mast’s interest in environmental conservation.
Votes and Stances on Major Social Issues
- Abortion: Mast believes abortion should be illegal except in cases where the woman’s life is at risk or in instances of rape or incest.
- LGBTQ+ Rights: Initially, Mast believed it was a mistake for the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on the constitutionality of same-sex marriage in Obergefell v. Hodges. However, on July 19, 2022, he was among 47 Republican Representatives who voted for the Respect for Marriage Act, which would codify the right to same-sex marriage in federal law. Later, on December 8, 2022, Mast voted against the final passage of the act.
- Cannabis Legalization: In December 2020, Mast was one of only five House Republicans to vote for the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, aiming to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level. He also co-sponsored the States Reform Act in November 2021 to legalize cannabis federally and regulate it similarly to alcohol. In April 2022, Mast was named a co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus.
Votes and Stances on Major Economic Issues
- Tax Policy: In October 2017, Mast voted against the original version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 due to concerns about federal spending and the national debt. However, in December 2017, he voted for the final version of the bill, stating it provided confidence to many people and was a significant moment for the country and community.
- Budget and Spending: Mast supports balancing the federal budget and has advocated for overhauling federal spending caps. He was among the 71 Republicans who voted against the final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House, indicating his concern over federal spending levels.
- Agricultural Subsidies: In April 2018, Mast expressed support for legislation to reduce support for sugar farmers, citing environmental concerns related to waterways in his district. He acknowledged that this stance might make him the only representative in the history of his district to vote against the sugar industry.
Demographics of Florida’s 21st Congressional District
As of the latest available data, Florida’s 21st Congressional District has the following demographic characteristics:
- Total Population: Approximately 776,143 residents.
- Median Age: 48.3 years, which is higher than both the state and national averages.
- Racial and Ethnic Composition:
- White (Non-Hispanic): 64.4%
- Black or African American (Non-Hispanic): 12.4%
- White (Hispanic): 7.62%
- Two or More Races (Hispanic): 6.01%
- Two or More Races (Non-Hispanic): 3.03%
- Median Household Income: $76,274, reflecting a 13.5% increase from the previous year.
- Poverty Rate: 10.3%,