Brenson Wase

Brenson S. Wase (born 28 May 1952) is a Marshallese politician who has been Speaker of the Legislature of the Marshall Islands since 2024, and a member of the legislature since 1983. He has been the head of the ministries of Social Services, Resources and Development, Interior and Outer Islands Affairs, Internal Affairs, Transportation and Communications, Finance, and Justice between 1984 and 2023.

Early life and education Brenson S. Wase was born in Ine, Arno Atoll, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, on 28 May 1952. He attended the Mizpha High School of Micronesia and the Mid-Pacific Institute. He graduated from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo with a bachelor of science degree in business administration.

Career In the 1983 election Wase won a seat in the Legislature of the Marshall Islands and still serves in the legislature. In 1999, his constituency was transferred from Arno to Majuro. Donald Capelle defeated Wase to become Speaker of the legislature in 2012. Wase defeated Bruce Bilimon to become speaker by a vote of 18 to 15 in 2024. He is the second-longest serving member of the legislature as of 2024.

Wase was Minister of Social Services from 1984 to 1987, Minister of Resources and Development from 1988 to 1991, Minister of Interior and Outer Islands Affairs from 1991 to 1995, Minister of Internal Affairs from 1995 to 1999, and Minister of Transportation and Communications from 2000 to 2002.

Wase was Minister of Finance from 2002 to 2008, and from 15 October 2021 to 23 June 2023. Wase was critical of the European Union for listing the Marshall Islands on its tax haven blacklist.

Personal life Wase married Antonia U. Wase, with whom he had five children.