119-hres431

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 431 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
H. RES. 431

 Recognizing the importance of the Arctic Council and reaffirming the 
 commitment of the United States to the Arctic Council.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 May 20, 2025

Mr. Bera (for himself, Mr. Amodei of Nevada, and Mr. Keating) submitted 
 the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
 Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

 Recognizing the importance of the Arctic Council and reaffirming the 
 commitment of the United States to the Arctic Council.

Whereas the United States became an Arctic Nation upon the purchase of Alaska in 
 1867;
Whereas the Arctic Council was established on September 19, 1996, through the 
 Ottawa Declaration, to enhance cooperation, coordination, and 
 interaction among the Arctic states with the active involvement of 
 Arctic Indigenous peoples and other Arctic inhabitants on common Arctic 
 issues;
Whereas the United States is a founding member of the Arctic Council and has 
 twice served as Chair, from 1998 to 2000, and again from 2015 to 2017;
Whereas the Ottawa Declaration defines 8 states, Canada, Denmark, Finland, 
 Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States, as Arctic states 
 and members of the Arctic Council as they have sovereignty over 
 territory in the Arctic region;
Whereas the Arctic region is undergoing unprecedented environmental, economic, 
 and social changes due to the impacts of climate change and increased 
 human activity;
Whereas the Council has an advanced understanding of Arctic challenges through 
 scientific assessments, policy recommendations, and collaborative 
 initiatives;
Whereas the engagement of Indigenous communities and respect for traditional 
 knowledge are integral to the Arctic Council's success;
Whereas the Council is the leading intergovernmental initiative involving all 
 Arctic states, raising global awareness of the Arctic's significance and 
 influencing international climate policies;
Whereas the Arctic Council has addressed key issues such as persistent organic 
 pollutants, oil spill prevention, search and rescue, and scientific 
 collaboration;
Whereas the Arctic Council emphasizes sustainable development, environmental 
 protection, and peace in the Arctic amidst growing competition over 
 resources and shipping routes;
Whereas the Arctic Council has played a vital role in maintaining the Arctic as 
 a region of low tension and its continued work is essential to ensuring 
 a safe, secure, and stable Arctic for all;
Whereas the Arctic Council has made significant contributions to understanding 
 Arctic biodiversity, ocean health, and sustainable resource management, 
 while also addressing emerging threats such as microplastics and 
 shipping pollution;
Whereas the United States has demonstrated leadership in Arctic affairs, notably 
 through initiatives such as the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment, which 
 provided a groundbreaking understanding of climate change impacts, and 
 the International Circumpolar Surveillance system, a region-wide disease 
 surveillance system led by the United States Centers for Disease Control 
 and Prevention;
Whereas the United States has supported collaborative Arctic Council initiatives 
 such as the Circumpolar Wildland Fire Initiative, developed under 
 Norway's Chairship, in partnership with Gwich'in Council International;
Whereas Russia's illegal war of aggression in Ukraine has significantly impacted 
 the operations of the Arctic Council, raising concerns over Russia's 
 military modernization in the Arctic and reinforcing cooperative 
 security ties among the 7 other Arctic states

    (A7) ;
Whereas, in response to Russia's invasion, the A7 states temporarily paused 
 participation in all Arctic Council meetings;
Whereas the European Union suspended cooperation with Russia in the Barents 
 Euro-Arctic Council, leading to Russia's withdrawal in 2023;
Whereas, despite the suspension of cooperation with Russia, the Arctic Council 
 and its working groups resumed activities in mid-2023;
Whereas, in February 2024, Russia suspended annual payments to the Arctic 
 Council until its participation was reinstated;
Whereas, in February 2024, the eight Arctic states, in consultation with 
 Indigenous Permanent Participant organizations, reached consensus to 
 gradually resume official working group meetings;
Whereas Finland and Sweden's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization 
 has heightened the Arctic's strategic importance for the alliance;
Whereas, in recent years, the United States has expanded its diplomatic presence 
 in the Arctic region and strengthened economic and people-to-people ties 
 with the region;
Whereas Russia's diplomatic isolation from the A7 states has led to increased 
 cooperation with non-A7 countries, particularly China which poses a 
 threat to American and European national security; and
Whereas a national intelligence estimate by the National Intelligence Council 
 indicates that both Arctic and non-Arctic states will likely increase 
 their competitive activities and military presence in the region as 
 warming temperatures make the Arctic more accessible and states seek to 
 protect their investments: Now, therefore, be it
 Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

    (1) recognizes the key role the Arctic Council has played 
 as a critical forum for fostering international cooperation, 
 sustainable development, and environmental protection in the 
 Arctic region;

    (2) commends the Arctic Council for its achievements in 
 promoting scientific research, policy coordination, and 
 Indigenous participation to address regional challenges;

    (3) affirms the United States commitment to active 
 participation and leadership within the Arctic Council to 
 advance shared goals and uphold the values of cooperation and 
 respect among Arctic nations and Indigenous peoples;

    (4) acknowledges the Arctic Council's 8 member states--
 Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, the Russian 
 Federation, Sweden, and the United States--as key participants 
 in the Arctic Council due to their sovereignty over territories 
 in the Arctic Region, which enables them to engage in 
 collaborative efforts to address Arctic issues;

    (5) encourages increased collaboration among Arctic Council 
 member states, Permanent Participants, and Observers to address 
 emerging challenges and opportunities in the Arctic, including 
 the impacts of climate change and sustainable economic 
 development;

    (6) supports robust funding and resources for United States 
 agencies and organizations engaged in Arctic Council activities 
 to ensure the United States fulfills its responsibilities as an 
 Arctic Nation;

    (7) calls upon the Arctic Council to continue prioritizing 
 peace, security, and environmental stewardship in the Arctic to 
 safeguard the region for future generations;

    (8) urges the executive branch to uphold and promote the 
 principles and objectives of the Arctic Council in its Arctic 
 policy and diplomacy efforts;

    (9) emphasizes the importance of increased United States 
 attention and resources in the Arctic as geopolitical 
 competition and human activities in the region intensify; and

    (10) emphasizes the importance of the position of United 
 States Arctic Ambassador-at-Large to provide strong and 
 consistent United States leadership in Arctic diplomacy and 
 engagement and urges the executive branch to take all necessary 
 steps to prevent prolonged vacancies in this critical role.
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