History of Brian Mast in Timeline

Brian Mast is an American politician and U.S. military veteran currently serving as the U.S. Representative for Florida's 21st congressional district since 2017. A Republican, Mast represents the Treasure Coast and northern Palm Beach County. He is currently serving his fifth term in the House of Representatives.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

July 10, 1980: Brian Mast Born

Brian Jeffrey Mast was born on July 10, 1980.

Others born on this day/year

1999: Graduated High School

In 1999, Brian Mast graduated from South Christian High School.

May 2000: Enlisted in the Army Reserve

In May 2000, Brian Mast enlisted in the United States Army Reserve as a combat engineer assigned to the 841st Combat Engineer Battalion.

2006: Transitioned to Active Duty

In 2006, Brian Mast transitioned to the active U.S. Army and became an explosive ordnance disposal technician. He later joined the 28th Ordnance Company, a special operations explosive ordnance disposal unit.

September 19, 2010: Wounded in Action

On September 19, 2010, while serving in Afghanistan, Brian Mast stepped on an IED in Kandahar, resulting in the amputation of both his legs and the loss of his left index finger. He received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

2010: Injured in Afghanistan

In 2010, while serving in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom, Brian Mast lost both his legs while working as an explosive ordnance disposal technician for the U.S. Army. He received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his actions that year.

July 2011: Joined the Department of Homeland Security

After his honorable discharge from the Army, in July 2011, Brian Mast was hired as an explosives specialist for the United States Department of Homeland Security.

2011: Guest at Obama's State of the Union Address

In 2011, President Barack Obama invited Brian Mast as a guest to his State of the Union Address, where he was seated with First Lady Michelle Obama and Second Lady Jill Biden.

February 2012: Worked with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

While recovering from his injuries at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Brian Mast worked as an instructor of homemade explosives for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives until February 2012.

2012: Stock Act

In August 2021, Brian Mast violated the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act of 2012.

January 2015: Volunteering with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)

In January 2015, Brian Mast volunteered with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) through Sar-El, where he worked at a base outside Tel Aviv packing medical kits and moving supplies.

May 2015: Considered Running for Congress

In May 2015, it was reported that Brian Mast was considering running for Congress while recovering from his injuries at Walter Reed Medical Center.

June 8, 2015: Announced Candidacy for U.S. Representative

On June 8, 2015, Brian Mast announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for U.S. Representative in Florida's 18th congressional district.

2015: Accepted Donations from NRA Political Victory Fund

During his 2015–16 election campaign, Brian Mast accepted $4,950 in campaign donations from the NRA Political Victory Fund.

2015: Campaign Donors

During the 2015-16 election campaign, Brian Mast's largest donors were Duty Free Americas, NextGen Management, and Superior Foods.

June 2016: Supported Donald Trump in 2016 Election

In June 2016, Brian Mast said he supported President Donald Trump "unanimously and wholeheartedly" in the 2016 presidential election.

August 30, 2016: Won Republican Primary

On August 30, 2016, Brian Mast won the Republican primary for U.S. Representative in Florida's 18th congressional district, defeating five opponents with 38% of the vote.

2016: Attendance at Calvary Chapel

As recently as 2016, Brian Mast attended the evangelical Calvary Chapel.

2016: Support of Israel and Israelis

During his 2016 campaign, Brian Mast was reported by The Times of Israel as "a vocal supporter of Israel and Israelis".

2016: Criticism of Obama's Middle East policy

In 2016, Brian Mast criticized President Obama's Middle East policy, asserting that ISIS's strength was due to a lack of U.S. leadership and advocating for a stronger military effort.

2016: Views on Iran nuclear deal

In 2016, Brian Mast expressed his view that President Obama's Iran nuclear deal was a betrayal of U.S. national security and its regional allies, arguing it aligned the U.S. with a Shia regime and enabled extremism.

2016: Graduated from Harvard University

In 2016, Brian Mast obtained a Bachelor of Liberal Arts from the Extension School of Harvard University with a concentration in economics and minors in government and environmental studies.

2016: Linked to World Patent Marketing

In 2016, Brian Mast was briefly linked to World Patent Marketing, which the Federal Trade Commission shut down as an invention promotion scam. Mast denied knowledge of being on their advisory board.

January 3, 2017: Sworn into Congress

On January 3, 2017, Brian Mast was sworn in as the U.S. representative for Florida's 18th congressional district.

February 2017: Voted Against Requesting Trump's Tax Returns

In February 2017, Brian Mast voted against a resolution that would have directed the House to request ten years of Donald Trump's tax returns.

March 2017: Voted for Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act

In March 2017, Brian Mast voted for the Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act.

May 4, 2017: Voted to Repeal Affordable Care Act

On May 4, 2017, Brian Mast voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act and pass the American Health Care Act.

October 2017: Vote against the original version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

In October 2017, Brian Mast voted against the original version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, citing concerns about federal spending, national debt, and the desire for lower tax rates with closed loopholes.

December 2017: Vote for the final version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

In December 2017, Brian Mast voted for the final version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, stating that it "provides a lot of confidence to a lot of people" and is "a great moment for our country and our community".

2017: Approval Rating after Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

After voting in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Brian Mast had a 40% approval rating among his constituents.

2017: Campaign Donations

During the 2017-18 election campaign, Brian Mast's largest donors were Duty Free Americas and Amway/Alticor.

April 2018: Expressed Intent to Vote Against Sugar Subsidies

In April 2018, Brian Mast stated his intent to vote for legislation to reduce support for sugar farmers.

April 25, 2018: Primary Challenge Announced

On April 25, 2018, Mark Freeman announced a primary challenge to Brian Mast, focusing on Mast's record on gun control issues.

May 2018: Considered for Secretary of Veterans Affairs

In May 2018, the Associated Press reported that the Trump administration was considering Brian Mast for secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

June 2018: Received Donations from Igor Fruman

Between March and June 2018, Brian Mast's campaign received thousands of dollars from Igor Fruman, who later faced charges of violating federal campaign finance laws. The funds were later donated to charity.

June 2018: Commented on Trump Administration Family Separation Policy

In June 2018, Brian Mast commented on the Trump administration family separation policy, expressing the duty to deal compassionately with children.

June 2018: Threats against Mast's children

In June 2018, a volunteer for the Martin County Democratic Party, angered by the Trump administration's immigration policy, was arrested after threatening to kill Brian Mast's children.

2018: Supports Second Amendment and Ban on Assault Weapons

In 2018, Brian Mast wrote an opinion piece in The New York Times supporting the Second Amendment right to bear arms, but said "it does not guarantee that every civilian can bear any and all arms."

2018: Opening an office inside a federal agency

In 2018, Brian Mast, a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, became the first member of Congress to open an office inside a federal agency, specifically the West Palm Beach Veterans Affairs facility.

2018: Campaign Consultant Used Hacked Data

In 2018, it was reported that Anthony Bustamante, a consultant who worked on Brian Mast's 2016 campaign, used data hacked from the Democratic National Committee by Guccifer 2.0 to adjust campaign strategy.

April 2019: Mistrial declared in threats case

In April 2019, the trial regarding threats against Brian Mast's children ended in a hung jury, resulting in a mistrial being declared.

December 18, 2019: Voted Against Impeachment of Trump

On December 18, 2019, Brian Mast voted against both articles of impeachment against Donald Trump.

2019: Eviction from West Palm Beach office

In 2019, the Department of Veterans Affairs evicted Brian Mast from the West Palm Beach office.

August 2020: Apologized for Inappropriate Jokes

In August 2020, Brian Mast apologized for "disgusting and inappropriate jokes" he made on Facebook in 2009 and 2011.

December 2020: Voted for the MORE Act

In December 2020, Brian Mast was one of only five House Republicans to vote for the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act.

2020: Renominated in Republican Primary

In 2020, Brian Mast was renominated in the Republican Primary with 78.1% of the vote in Florida.

January 6, 2021: Voted Against Certifying Election of Joe Biden

On January 6, 2021, Brian Mast voted against certifying the election of President Joe Biden.

February 2021: Sold Stock in Ideal Power

In February 2021, Brian Mast sold stock in Ideal Power worth up to $50,000, which he failed to report until August 2022, violating the STOCK Act.

July 2021: Purchased Virgin Galactic Stock

In July 2021, Brian Mast purchased stock in Virgin Galactic worth up to $100,000, which he failed to disclose on time, violating the STOCK Act.

August 2021: Violated STOCK Act

In August 2021, Business Insider reported that Brian Mast had violated the STOCK Act of 2012 by failing to disclose a stock purchase in Virgin Galactic made in July 2021 on time.

September 2021: Voting Alignment with Joe Biden

As of September 2021, Brian Mast had voted in line with Joe Biden's stated position 19.4% of the time.

November 2021: Cospnsored States Reform Act

In November 2021, Brian Mast was one of four original cosponsors of the Republican-led States Reform Act to legalize cannabis federally.

April 2022: Named Co-Chair of Congressional Cannabis Caucus

In April 2022, Brian Mast was named to replace Don Young as a co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus.

July 19, 2022: Voted for the Respect for Marriage Act

On July 19, 2022, Brian Mast was among 47 Republican Representatives who voted for the Respect for Marriage Act.

August 2022: Violated STOCK Act Again

In August 2022, Business Insider reported that Brian Mast had again violated the STOCK Act after he sold stock in Ideal Power in February 2021, but failed to report it until August 2022.

October 2022: Violated STOCK Act a Third Time

In October 2022, Brian Mast reported an exchange of shares in Aphria, Inc. for shares of Tilray Brands, Inc. more than a year after the federal deadline, violating the STOCK Act for a third time.

December 8, 2022: Voted Against Final Passage of Respect for Marriage Act

On December 8, 2022, Brian Mast voted against final passage of the Respect for Marriage Act.

November 1, 2023: Comparison of Palestinian civilians to Nazi Germany civilians

On November 1, 2023, while arguing for a bill to reduce humanitarian funding to Gaza during the Gaza war, Brian Mast compared Palestinian civilians to the civilians of Nazi Germany during World War II.