← Back to Bills
H.R. 3361House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

United States Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs Act of 2021

Sponsored by Don YoungRep. Don Young (R-AK)
Introduced May 19, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 3:15 AM UTC

The bill amends the State Department’s Basic Authorities Act to create a new position, a United States Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs. The ambassador would be appointed by the President with Senate approval and would represent the United States in diplomatic matters related to the Arctic, including work with foreign governments, the Arctic Council, and other international bodies. The role also includes coordinating U.S. Arctic policy and serving as chair of the Arctic Council when the U.S. holds the chairmanship.

Key Provisions

  • Establishes a permanent Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs within the State Department.
  • Requires the ambassador to be appointed by the President with Senate consent.
  • Authorizes the ambassador to represent the U.S. in Arctic‑related diplomatic contacts, multilateral conferences, and with the Arctic Council and other international organizations.
  • Designates the ambassador as chair of the Arctic Council whenever the United States holds the council’s chairmanship.
  • Tasks the ambassador with coordinating U.S. Arctic policies and procedures.

Legislative Activity

Stay on top of the latest movement without scrolling through every action

1 earlier action
HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Affairs Committee

May 19, 2021

View full timeline
HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 19, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Affairs Committee

May 19, 2021

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

Reading Mode
Latest
Raw Text PDF XML
Introduced in HouseIssued May 19, 2021

I

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3361

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 19, 2021

Mr. Young (for himself, Mr. Larsen of Washington, Mr. Mast, and Mr. Mullin) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

A BILL

To amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to establish a United States Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the United States Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs Act of 2021.

2.

United States 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:

64.

United States Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs

(a)

Establishment

There is established within the Department of State an Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs (referred to in this section as the Ambassador), appointed in accordance with subsection (b).

(b)

Appointment

The Ambassador shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(c)

Duties

(1)

Diplomatic representation

Subject to the direction of the President and the Secretary of State, the Ambassador is authorized to represent the United States in matters and cases relevant to Arctic affairs in—

(A)

contacts with foreign governments, intergovernmental organizations, and specialized agencies of the United Nations, the Arctic Council, and other international organizations of which the United States is a member; and

(B)

multilateral conferences and meetings relating to Arctic affairs.

(2)

Chair of the Arctic Council

The Ambassador shall serve as the Chair of the Arctic Council when the United States holds the Chairmanship of the Arctic Council.

(3)

Policies and procedures

The Ambassador shall coordinate United States Arctic policies.

.