Brian Mast

US House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that the US is the 'superhero' and China the 'supervillain' in the global AI leadership race, with concerns that China is eroding the US' early advantage.

The Senate Banking Committee discussed measures to maintain U.S. dominance in advanced chips and AI, emphasizing the need to restrict exports to China. Proposed legislation like the AI Overwatch Act and Match Act aims to prevent China from accessing high-end chips and chipmaking tools while fast-tracking exports to allies.

Congress is advancing bipartisan legislation to authorize sanctions on Sudan’s warring factions, with the House Foreign Affairs Committee passing a bill and the Senate introducing a similar measure. The bills aim to pressure the Rapid Support Forces and Sudanese Armed Forces, address humanitarian aid blockages, and extend the Special Envoy to Sudan role. The conflict in Sudan continues, with both sides accused of atrocities against civilians.

Two House Republicans are meeting with Taiwan's Beijing-friendly opposition leader Cheng Li-wun during her Washington visit. The discussions focus on defense spending and her recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, amid China's scrutiny of U.S. policy toward Taiwan and potential Trump-Lai communications.

The U.S. House passed a bill to provide Ukraine with over $1 billion in security and reconstruction aid and $8 billion in defense loans, overriding Republican objections. The 226-195 vote reflects bipartisan support but was criticized by some Republicans as flawed and politically motivated.

The House passed a bill providing $1 billion in security and reconstruction aid and $8 billion in defense loans to Ukraine, using a discharge petition to override Republican objections. The 226-195 vote reflects bipartisan support for aiding Ukraine amid concerns over President Donald Trump's approach to the conflict. Lawmakers aim to pressure the Senate to follow suit, though passage there may require Trump's endorsement.

Democrats split on a resolution by Rep. Rashida Tlaib to block U.S. assistance to Israel's war against Hezbollah, a U.S.-designated terrorist group. The measure failed 92-324 as Republicans criticized its omission of Hezbollah and argued it could hinder U.S. military operations in Lebanon. Over half of House Democrats joined Republicans in opposing the resolution, which would require President Donald Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from Lebanon.

Democrats divided on Rep. Rashida Tlaib's resolution to block U.S. support for Israel's conflict with Hezbollah, which failed with bipartisan opposition. Critics argued the measure omitted Hezbollah and could hinder U.S. military operations, while Tlaib claimed it targeted U.S. forces in hostilities.

A heated exchange occurred on the House floor after Rep. Max Miller accused Rep. Rashida Tlaib of ties to Hezbollah during a debate on a resolution to withdraw U.S. forces from Lebanon. Tlaib’s resolution, which does not mention Hezbollah, faced Republican criticism for potentially aiding the group, leading to procedural actions against Miller’s remarks and bipartisan opposition to the measure.

US House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast has warned Secretary of State Marco Rubio about Chinese influence in Argentina's bidding process for a $10 billion contract to dredge and operate the Parana River. The 25-year contract is critical to Argentina's agricultural export infrastructure and Mast expressed concerns about what he termed 'Chinese malign influence' in the tender process.