A bill to establish an Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs.

This bill establishes an Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs within the Department of State and requires reports on Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic. The Ambassador is appointed by the President with Senate advice and consent.

Sec. 1, Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs: The bill creates a Senate-confirmed Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs. The Ambassador's duties include advancing U.S. interests in the Arctic, engaging with foreign governments and the Arctic Council, coordinating U.S. foreign policy and programs, countering malign influence from Russia and China, coordinating diplomatic objectives, informing on commerce and maritime transit, ensuring scientific data and research security, consulting with Arctic indigenous communities, and ensuring actions are consistent with the Arctic Region Security Policy. The Ambassador is also authorized to maintain observation and coordination on institutions for Arctic cooperation, scientific monitoring, and responsible resource management and economic development. The Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs leads developing and implementing the Arctic Region Security Policy, which includes bolstering diplomatic presence, enhancing resilience, assessing risks, advancing good governance, countering malign influence, and increasing NATO coordination. The Ambassador has no authority over U.S. domestic policy beyond foreign policy matters and must provide periodic briefings to Congress. The Secretary must issue guidance on U.S. official attendance at Arctic conferences, considering national security and potential foreign influence. The section defines "Arctic countries" as the eight Arctic Council members and "Arctic region" as areas north of 66.56083°N, certain U.S. territory, contiguous seas, and the Aleutian Chain.

Sec. 2, Reports: Within 180 days of enactment and annually for 10 years, the Secretary of State, with the Director of National Intelligence and others, must submit a report to Congress on Russian and Chinese malign influence in the Arctic. The report must examine their Arctic strategies, cooperation, efforts to exploit organizations, list Ambassador's multilateral engagements, examine control over key sectors, assess exploitation of scientific research, and assess tools to counter their influence. The report is unclassified with a classified annex.