BRUNSWICK, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), Co-Chair of the Senate Arctic Caucus, today applauded the U.S. State Department’s announcement that they have established an Ambassador-at-Large for the Arctic Region — a step King has long called for.

“The United States is an Arctic Nation. We have significant economic and national security interests in the High North, and can no longer afford to delay investments in the critical region,” said Senator King. “With the Arctic warming and opening for activity, we must be ready to capitalize on new opportunities while confronting areas of growing tension – including Russia’s blatant disregard for global norms and China’s increasing aggression.

“The nations of the High North are already defining the future of the region, with even non-Arctic nations like India pursuing large strategic investments. The United States must match these infrastructure investments and be at the table with a Senate-confirmed Ambassador that will bring the full authority of our nation to the Arctic. It’s a choice between advancing our interests or watching the rest of the world define our future.

“I’m glad President Biden has established this new ambassadorship. I look forward to meeting the eventual nominee, evaluating their credentials, and hopefully supporting a swift confirmation to the critical post,” concluded Senator King. “There is still more work to be done, but this is an essential step forward that I’ve been urging for years.”

As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Armed Services Committee, and 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 this month 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.