[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1000 Reported in Senate (RS)]
<DOC>
Calendar No. 231
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1000
To establish an Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 12, 2025
Ms. Murkowski (for herself, Mr. King, Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Coons, Mr.
Graham, Mr. Welch, Ms. Collins, Ms. Slotkin, Ms. Klobuchar, Mrs.
Shaheen, and Mr. Bennet) introduced the following bill; which was read
twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
October 30, 2025
Reported by Mr. Risch, with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish an Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
<DELETED>SECTION 1. AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE FOR ARCTIC AFFAIRS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Title I of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of
1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 65. UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE FOR ARCTIC
AFFAIRS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) Establishment.--There is authorized within the
Department of State an Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs,
appointed under subsection (b).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Appointment.--The Ambassador shall be appointed by
the President, by, and with the advice and consent of the
Senate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Duties.--The Ambassador is authorized to represent
the United States in matters and cases relevant to Arctic affairs and
shall be responsible to the Secretary of State for all matters,
programs, and related activities pertaining to the Arctic region in the
conduct of foreign policy by the Department, including, as appropriate,
leading the coordination of programs carried out by United States
Government agencies abroad, and such other related duties as the
Secretary may from time to time designate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Areas of Responsibility.--The Ambassador-at-Large
for Arctic Affairs is authorized to maintain continuous observation and
coordination of all matters indicated by the Secretary of State,
including those pertaining to energy, environment, trade, and
infrastructure development and maintenance, and, in consultation with
the heads of other relevant departments and agencies, those pertaining
to law enforcement and political-military affairs in the conduct of
foreign policy in the Arctic, including programs carried out by other
United States Government agencies when such programs pertain to the
following matters, to the extent directed by the Secretary of
State:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) National security.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Strengthening cooperation among Arctic
countries.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) The promotion of responsible natural
resource management and economic development.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Protecting the Arctic environment and
conserving its biological resources.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) Arctic indigenous peoples, including by
involving them in decisions that affect them.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(6) Scientific monitoring and
research.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(e) Additional Duties.--In addition to the duties and
responsibilities specified in subsections (c) and (d), the Ambassador-
at-Large for Arctic Affairs shall also carry out such other relevant
duties as the Secretary may assign.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(f) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Arctic region.--The term `Arctic region'
means--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) the geographic region north of the
66.56083 parallel latitude north of the
equator;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) all the United States territory
north and west of the boundary formed by the Porcupine,
Yukon, and Kuskokwim Rivers;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) all contiguous seas, including the
Arctic Ocean and the Beaufort, Bering, and Chukchi
Seas; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) the Aleutian Chain.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Arctic countries.--The term `Arctic
countries' means the permanent members of the Arctic Council,
namely the United States, Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Norway,
Sweden, Finland, and Russia.''.</DELETED>
SECTION 1. AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE FOR ARCTIC AFFAIRS.
Title I of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22
U.S.C. 2651a et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new
section:
``SEC. 66. UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE FOR ARCTIC AFFAIRS.
``(a) Establishment.--There is authorized within the Department of
State an Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs, appointed under
subsection (b).
``(b) Appointment.--The Ambassador shall be appointed by the
President, by, and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
``(c) Duties.--The Ambassador shall carry out the following duties:
``(1) Advance United States interests in the Arctic region.
``(2) Engage with foreign governments, intergovernmental
organizations, the Arctic Council, and other international or
multilateral organizations of which the United States is a
member or has observer status and which advance United States
interests in the Arctic region.
``(3) Facilitate the development and coordination of United
States foreign policy and programs in the Arctic region.
``(4) Coordinate with relevant offices, bureaus, and
interagency partners on efforts to counter the malign influence
of the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China in
Arctic nations and Arctic multilateral fora and organizations.
``(5) Coordinate the diplomatic objectives with respect to
the activities described in paragraph (1), and, as appropriate,
represent the United States within multilateral fora that
address international cooperation and foreign policy matters in
the Arctic region.
``(6) Help inform, in coordination with the Bureau of
Economic Affairs, transnational commerce and commercial
maritime transit in the Arctic region.
``(7) Ensure, in coordination with the Bureau of Oceans and
International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, that
scientific data, environmental monitoring, and scientific
research cooperation is consistent with regional security
planning programs and research security best practices in the
Department of State and other relevant Departments and
agencies.
``(8) Consult, as appropriate, with Arctic indigenous
communities, including by ensuring equal application and full
protection of laws relating to investment screening, foreign
influence, and other relevant national security regulations and
statutes.
``(9) Ensure that all actions taken to perform the duties
described in this subsection are consistent with the Arctic
Region Security Policy in accordance with subsection (f).
``(10) Use the voice, vote, and influence of the United
States to encourage other countries and international
multilateral organizations to support the principles of the
Arctic Region Security Policy implemented pursuant to
subsection (f).
``(d) Areas of Responsibility.--The Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic
Affairs is authorized to maintain continuous observation and
coordination on matters related to the following:
``(1) Institutions for cooperation among the Arctic
countries.
``(2) Scientific monitoring and research on local,
regional, and global environmental issues.
``(3) Responsible natural resource management and economic
development.
``(e) Additional Duties.--In addition to the duties and
responsibilities specified in subsections (c) and (d), the Ambassador-
at-Large for Arctic Affairs shall also carry out such other relevant
duties as the Secretary of State may assign.
``(f) Arctic Region Security Policy.--The Bureau of European and
Eurasian Affairs shall be the lead bureau for developing and
implementing the United States' Arctic Region Security Policy, in
coordination with other relevant regional and functional bureaus and
offices and relevant Federal departments and agencies to advance United
States national security interests. The Arctic Region Security Policy
shall advance United States national security interests by assessing,
developing, budgeting for, and implementing plans, policies, and
actions--
``(1) to bolster the diplomatic presence of the United
States in Arctic countries, including through enhancements to
diplomatic missions and facilities, participation in regional
and bilateral dialogues that advance United States interests
related to Arctic security, and coordination of United States
initiatives and assistance programs across agencies to protect
the national security of the United States and its allies and
partners;
``(2) to enhance the resilience of Arctic countries to the
economic, environmental, and security effects that may result
from increased accessibility of the Arctic region;
``(3) to assess specific added risks to the Arctic region
and Arctic countries that--
``(A) are vulnerable to the changing Arctic
environment; and
``(B) are strategically significant to the United
States;
``(4) to advance principles of good governance by
encouraging and cooperating with Arctic countries on
collaborative approaches--
``(A) to responsibly manage natural resources in
the Arctic region;
``(B) to share the burden of ensuring maritime
safety in the Arctic region;
``(C) to address challenges posed by the
militarization of the Arctic region by the Russian
Federation;
``(D) to address growing security cooperation in
the Arctic region by the Russian Federation and
People's Republic of China and the implications for
United States national security interests and Arctic
security;
``(E) to develop multilateral policies among Arctic
countries on the management of maritime transit routes
through the Arctic region and work cooperatively on the
transit policies for access to and transit in the
Arctic Region by non-Arctic countries; and
``(F) to facilitate the development of Arctic
Region Security Action Plans to ensure effective
implementation of the objectives identified in the
Arctic Region Security Policy;
``(5) to evaluate the vulnerability, security,
survivability, and resiliency of United States interests in the
Arctic region;
``(6) to counter malign influence from the Russian
Federation and the People's Republic of China in Arctic
countries and Arctic multilateral fora, including through the
exploitation or manipulation of--
``(A) science and research partnerships or
organizations;
``(B) economic development projects in strategic
sectors including transportation, energy, and
telecommunications;
``(C) educational, cultural, and religious
organizations; and
``(D) engagements with subnational and indigenous
governance structures; and
``(7) to increase coordination among North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) Arctic allies on the protection of critical
infrastructure, including energy, telecommunications, and
scientific infrastructure.
``(g) Restrictions and Requirements.--
``(1) Scope of authority.--The Ambassador-at-Large for
Arctic Affairs and any other personnel assigned to this office
shall not have any authority, or role in decision-making on
United States domestic policy issues beyond those directly
related to United States foreign policy with international
partners and stakeholders in the Arctic region.
``(2) Briefings requirement.--The Ambassador-at-Large for
Arctic Affairs shall provide periodic briefings to the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs
Committee on diplomatic engagements in the Arctic.
``(3) Guidance related to attendance and participation at
arctic conferences and multilateral fora.--The Secretary shall
disseminate guidance, in coordination with the Bureau of
Diplomatic Security and relevant interagency partners, for the
attendance and participation of United States Government
officials at Arctic conferences and multilateral fora, taking
into consideration--
``(A) the potential for United States Government
attendance to advance United States national security
and foreign policy objectives; and
``(B) the degree to which the organization hosting
or funding a conference or other event is funded,
controlled, or advances the interests of the Russian
Federation or People's Republic of China.
``(h) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Arctic countries.--The term `Arctic countries' means
the permanent members of the Arctic Council, namely the United
States, Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and
Russia.
``(2) Arctic region.--The term `Arctic region' means--
``(A) the geographic region north of the 66.56083
parallel latitude north of the equator;
``(B) all the United States territory north and
west of the boundary formed by the Porcupine, Yukon,
and Kuskokwim Rivers;
``(C) all contiguous seas, including the Arctic
Ocean and the Beaufort, Bering, and Chukchi Seas; and
``(D) the Aleutian Chain.''.
SEC. 2. REPORTS.
(a) Report on Russian and Chinese Malign Influence in the Arctic
Region.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the
Secretary of State, in coordination with the Director of
National Intelligence, the Secretary of Defense, and other
relevant Departments and Federal agencies, shall submit to the
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee
on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on
Russian and Chinese malign influence in the Arctic region.
(2) Contents.--The report required under paragraph (1)
shall--
(A) examine the Arctic strategies of Russia and
China and their impact on United States national
security, scientific, and foreign policy interests in
the region;
(B) examine Russian and Chinese cooperation in the
Arctic region and implications for the United States;
(C) examine the efforts of Russia and China to
advance their strategic interests in the Arctic region
through exploiting, manipulating, or co-opting non-
governmental and international organizations in the
Arctic region;
(D) provide a list of multilateral engagements and
conferences attended by the Ambassador-at-Large for
Arctic Affairs during the reporting period and an
explanation of how such engagements countered Russian
and Chinese influence and advanced United States
national security and foreign policy interests;
(E) examine Russian and Chinese efforts to gain
control and influence over key sectors in the Arctic
region, including critical minerals, energy,
transportation, and fishing;
(F) assess Russian and Chinese efforts to exploit
scientific and academic research in the Arctic,
including through research partnerships with academic
institutions in the United States and other Arctic
countries; and
(G) assess the tools, resources, and funding
available to counter Russian and Chinese influence in
the Arctic region.
(3) Form.--The report required under paragraph (1) shall be
submitted in unclassified form, with a classified annex.
(4) Sunset.--The reporting requirement in this section
shall expire on the date that is 10 years after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
Calendar No. 231
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1000
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish an Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs.
_______________________________________________________________________
October 30, 2025
Reported with an amendment