To establish an Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs.
H.R. 3328 would create within the Department of State a new Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs. The ambassador would be appointed by the President with Senate confirmation and would represent the United States on all matters relating to the Arctic, directing and coordinating foreign-policy activities and interagency programs carried out abroad in the Arctic region. The role emphasizes cross-agency coordination on energy, environment, trade, infrastructure, law enforcement, and political-military issues, with a focus on national security, cooperation among Arctic countries, responsible resource management, environmental protection, Indigenous peoples’ involvement, and scientific monitoring. The bill defines the Arctic region and identifies the eight Arctic countries (including Russia) that fall under the ambassador’s scope of interest. Sponsors listed in the bill’s introduction are Reps. Bera, Amodei, and Larsen, and the bill is introduced and referred to the Foreign Affairs Committee. If enacted, it would add a formal, high-level diplomatic post aimed at elevating U.S. Arctic policy and coordination across federal agencies.
Key Points
- 1Establishment and appointment
- 2- Creates an Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs within the State Department, appointed by the President with advice and consent of the Senate (i.e., Senate confirmation).
- 3Core duties
- 4- The ambassador represents the United States on Arctic matters and is responsible to the Secretary of State for all Arctic-related foreign-policy programs and activities, including leading coordination of interagency efforts abroad.
- 5Scope of responsibility
- 6- Authorized to monitor and coordinate across areas such as energy, environment, trade, infrastructure, and related programs; and, in consultation with other agencies, matters involving law enforcement and political-military aspects of Arctic policy.
- 7Areas of focus
- 8- National security; strengthening cooperation among Arctic countries; responsible natural resource management and economic development; protecting the Arctic environment and conserving biological resources; Indigenous peoples’ involvement in decisions affecting them; and scientific monitoring and research.
- 9Definitions and geographic scope
- 10- Defines the Arctic region by latitude and U.S. territorial boundaries (including the Aleutian Chain and certain seas) and defines Arctic countries as the eight permanent members of the Arctic Council (including Russia).