A bill to establish an Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs.
Sponsored By: Senator Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
In Committee
Summary
This bill would create a U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs. The role focuses U.S. diplomacy on the Arctic, coordinates interagency policy and programs, and aims to counter Russian and Chinese influence while aligning science, commerce, and indigenous consultation.
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- Arctic indigenous communities: Would require consultation with indigenous communities and emphasize protecting laws on investment screening and foreign influence.
- Scientists and environment: Would direct continuous observation and align scientific monitoring with regional security planning to inform responsible resource management and Arctic maritime transit.
- U.S. diplomacy and security: Would designate the State Department's Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs to lead an Arctic Region Security Policy, increase coordination with NATO Arctic allies, assess vulnerabilities, and counter malign influence from Russia and China. It would also require a report on Russian and Chinese influence due within 180 days and then annually with a classified annex for up to 10 years.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
New Arctic Ambassador and duties
If enacted, this bill would create an Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs in the State Department. The Ambassador would be appointed by the President with Senate consent. The office would coordinate U.S. diplomacy, science, commerce, and resource policy in the Arctic and consult Indigenous communities. The State Department would issue guidance on attending Arctic conferences and the Ambassador must brief relevant congressional committees. The office would be limited to foreign-policy matters and not make broader U.S. domestic policy decisions. The bill also defines which countries and geographic areas count as the Arctic for these duties.
U.S. Arctic security policy lead
If enacted, the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs would be the lead bureau to develop and implement a U.S. Arctic Region Security Policy. The policy would guide diplomacy, build regional resilience, assess risks to vulnerable Arctic countries, and promote maritime safety and good governance. It would also direct actions to counter Russian and Chinese influence, protect critical infrastructure with NATO allies, and develop multilateral transit and action plans.
Annual report on Arctic foreign influence
If enacted, the Secretary of State, working with the Director of National Intelligence, the Secretary of Defense, and others, would deliver a report on Russian and Chinese malign influence in the Arctic within 180 days and then yearly. The unclassified report (with a classified annex) would examine strategies, cooperation, exploitation of NGOs and research, efforts to control key sectors, and list multilateral engagements the Ambassador attended and how they countered influence. This reporting requirement would expire 10 years after enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
AK • R
Cosponsors
Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
ME • I
Sponsored 3/12/2025
Dan Sullivan
AK • R
Sponsored 3/12/2025
Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
DE • D
Sponsored 3/12/2025
Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]
SC • R
Sponsored 3/12/2025
Peter Welch
VT • D
Sponsored 3/12/2025
Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
ME • R
Sponsored 3/12/2025
Elissa Slotkin
MI • D
Sponsored 3/12/2025
Amy Klobuchar
MN • D
Sponsored 3/12/2025
Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
NH • D
Sponsored 4/9/2025
Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
CO • D
Sponsored 10/16/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov