119-s1000

[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