Bill · S. 1000· Senate(119-S-1000)
A bill to establish an Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs.
- Introduced
- 3/12/2025
- Last activity
- 10/30/2025 — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 231.
- Sponsored by
- Lisa Murkowski
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 6
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill seeks to establish a new Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs within the Department of State. The Ambassador would be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. This official is tasked with representing United States interests, coordinating foreign policy, and engaging with foreign governments and the Arctic Council. A major focus includes countering the influence of the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China in the Arctic region. The bill also outlines an Arctic Region Security Policy to be led by the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs. Finally, it requires regular reports to Congress regarding foreign influence in the region.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Indigenous Community Engagement: The Ambassador is tasked with consulting with Arctic indigenous communities and involving them in decisions that affect them (Section 1, subsection (d)(5) and (c)(8)).
-
Environmental and Resource Management: The position is authorized to oversee the promotion of responsible natural resource management and the protection of the Arctic environment (Section s. 1, subsection (d)(3) and (d)(4)).
-
Security and Resilience: The bill aims to enhance the resilience of Arctic countries to economic, environmental, and security effects resulting from increased accessibility to the region (Section 1, subsection (f)(2)).
-
Cooperation and Safety: The policy encourages cooperation among Arctic countries to manage maritime transit routes and ensure maritime safety (Section 1, subsection (f)(4)(B)).
-
Infrastructure Protection: The bill seeks to increase coordination among NATO allies to protect critical infrastructure, such as energy and telecommunications (Section 1, subsection (f)(7)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Restrictions on Domestic Policy: The Ambassador and their office are strictly prohibited from having any authority or role in decision-making regarding United States domestic policy issues (Section 1, subsection (g)(1)).
-
Increased Scrutiny of Participation: Officials may face restrictions on attending Arctic conferences or multilateral fora based on how those organizations are funded or controlled (Section 1, subsection (g)(3)).
- 10/30/2025
- Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 231.
- 10/22/2025
- Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 10/16/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/9/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/12/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 8 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Michael BennetDemocrat · Colorado
Susan CollinsRepublican · Maine
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
Lindsey GrahamRepublican · South Carolina
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
Jeanne ShaheenDemocrat · New Hampshire
Dan SullivanRepublican · Alaska
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat · Michigan
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont