The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved legislation Wednesday to bolster international cooperation around critical minerals and appoint a diplomat to oversee Arctic affairs.
The panel cleared an amended version of Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s S. 1000 to create an ambassador-at-large position for Arctic affairs. The bill passed by voice vote.
Warming temperatures have made the Arctic more accessible and countries are jockeying for dominance to secure resources and shipping lanes.
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Democratic Rep. Ami Bera of California introduced a companion bill, H.R. 3328, along with Republican Rep. Mark Amodei of Nevada and Democratic Reps. Rick Larsen of Washington and Sarah McBride of Delaware.
