WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), co-chair of the Senate Arctic Caucus, today cast his vote for Michael Sfraga — currently serving as U.S. Arctic Research Commission Chair — to become the country’s first Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs, in a Senate vote of 55-36. Until Sfraga’s confirmation, the U.S. has been the only Arctic Nation that did not have a high-level official to represent the county in Arctic negotiations. With America now having formal diplomatic representation, it sends a clear signal to Arctic partners and foes that the country is fully invested in the High North as a strategic hotspot. The region is especially critical with regard to national security and deterrence efforts against known adversaries like China and Russia.

“The Arctic is emerging as a region of enormous potential, and for far too long America has been on the sidelines — not demonstrating the level of commitment and attention shown by the other Arctic nations. That ends today,” said Senator King. “Not only is the High North drawing additional attention and investment by nations like Norway, Canada, and Russia, but China and India are also making moves in the region — investing millions in icebreakers and critical mineral research, laughably passing themselves off as ‘near Arctic nations.' While the Arctic has long been considered a ‘zone of peace,' America has not been represented by a Senate confirmed official bearing the title of ‘Ambassador.’ From now on, when there are conversations had about Arctic affairs, America finally will participate among equals. I thank my Arctic Caucus Co-Chair Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) for her tireless work on this nomination, and now it’s time to truly get to work to advance and defend our Arctic interests.”

Sfraga brings over 30 years of experience in Arctic issues, and was the founding director of the Polar Institute and served as the Director of the Global Risk and Resilience program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. As an Alaskan and trained geographer, his work has focused the changing geography of Arctic and Antarctic landscapes, as well as the rapidly changing economic, social, environmental and security implications of the region.

As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and as Co-Chair of the U.S. Senate Arctic Caucus, Senator King is an advocate for Maine and America’s interests in the North Atlantic and Arctic region. Along with Caucus co-chair Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), King introduced the Arctic Commitment Act earlier last year to improve America’s posture and opportunities in the Arctic. He’s been calling for the appointment of an Arctic Ambassador since 2015, and has continued to press the Administration on the effort this year. King also recently laid out the challenges and opportunities of a warming arctic in an article in the Wilson Quarterly, and in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, he successfully secured the inclusion of provisions to increase America’s activity and opportunities in the Far North.

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