Bill Summary
This bill, if passed into law, would establish an Ambassador-at-Large for the Arctic Region within the Department of State. This ambassador would be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, and would be responsible for representing the United States in matters pertaining to the Arctic region, such as energy, environment, trade, infrastructure, and indigenous peoples. The ambassador would also coordinate with other relevant government agencies and carry out additional duties assigned by the Secretary of State. The bill defines the Arctic region as the area north of the 66.56083 parallel latitude north of the equator, including the United States territory north and west of the Porcupine, Yukon, and Kuskokwim Rivers, as well as the Aleutian Chain and contiguous seas. The Arctic countries are defined as the permanent members of the Arctic Council.
Possible Impacts
1. Increased representation and involvement of Arctic indigenous peoples in decisions that affect them, potentially leading to better protection of their rights and resources.
2. Strengthened cooperation among Arctic countries, potentially resulting in improved diplomatic relations and joint efforts towards addressing issues such as climate change and resource management.
3. Expansion of US influence and involvement in the Arctic region, leading to potential economic and political benefits but also potential tensions with other Arctic countries.
[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 821 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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118th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 821
To establish an Ambassador-at-Large for the Arctic Region.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 15, 2023
Ms. Murkowski (for herself, Mr. King, Mr. Graham, Ms. Collins, Mr.
Coons, Mrs. Shaheen, and Mr. Sullivan) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish an Ambassador-at-Large for the Arctic Region.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE FOR THE ARCTIC REGION.
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. 64. UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE FOR THE ARCTIC REGION.
``(a) Establishment.--There is authorized within the Department of
State an Ambassador-at-Large for the Arctic Region, 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 the
Arctic Region 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 the Arctic Region 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.''.
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