119 S1000 RS: To establish an Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs.
U.S. Senate
2025-10-30
text/xml
EN
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II
Calendar No. 231
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1000
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.
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:
“65.

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 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.
(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:
(1)
National security.
(2)
Strengthening cooperation among Arctic countries.
(3)
The promotion of responsible natural resource management and economic development.
(4)
Protecting the Arctic environment and conserving its biological resources.
(5)
Arctic indigenous peoples, including by involving them in decisions that affect them.
(6)
Scientific monitoring and research.
(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.
(f)

Definitions
In this section:
(1)

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.
(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.”.
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:
“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.”.
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.
October 30, 2025
Reported with an amendment