Florida Representative Brian Mast, a zealous pro-Israel Republican who has volunteered with a group that assists the Israeli army, has been elected to chair the powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee. Mast, a Christian and military veteran who lost both legs on duty in Afghanistan, volunteered with Sar-El, a group that places civilians from abroad in support positions with the Israeli army. He has been a loyal defender of President-elect Donald Trump and is aligned with Trump's more isolationist bent. Mast's pro-Israel posture has often been pugnacious, leading to criticism from some Democrats.