Arctic Focus Act

To prioritize icebreaker deployments to the Arctic, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Arctic Focus Act 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Appropriate congressional committees The term appropriate congressional committees (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate (B) the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate (C) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate (D) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives (E) the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives (F) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives (2) Arctic The term Arctic 15 U.S.C. 4111 3. Statement of policy regarding Arctic activities In recognition of the Arctic’s strategic importance to the national security interests of the United States, and the need to exert influence through persistent presence in the Arctic, the Coast Guard shall— (1) prioritize icebreaker deployments to the Arctic so that Antarctic deployments do not occur at the expense of sufficient Arctic presence or operations; (2) provide sufficient icebreaking activity to keep the Northwest Passage sea lanes open for commerce, national defense, rescue and recovery operations, and scientific exploration by 2030; (3) permanently station at least 1 icebreaking vessel within the Arctic not later than the earlier of— (A) the date that is 1 year after the delivery of the first Polar Security Cutter; or (B) 2030; and (4) continuously patrol the Arctic with at least 1 major Coast Guard cutter that is able to execute search and rescue operations, fisheries enforcement, pollution response, and support for national defense operations. 4. Arctic operational implementation report Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that— (1) describes the ability and timeline to conduct a transit of the Northern Sea Route and periodic transits of the Northwest Passage; and (2) includes a plan to implement the activities described in section 3.

Summary: Arctic Focus Act This bill directs the Coast Guard to undertake various efforts to maintain a persistent presence in the Arctic to advance the national security interests of the United States. The Coast Guard must prioritize icebreaker deployments to the Arctic; provide sufficient icebreaking activity to keep the Northwest Passage sea lanes open for commerce, national defense, rescue and recovery operations, and scientific exploration by 2030; permanently station at least one ice-breaking vessel within the Arctic by the earlier of one year after the delivery of the first Polar Security Cutter, or 2030; and continuously patrol the Arctic with at least one major Coast Guard cutter that is able to execute search and rescue operations, fisheries enforcement, pollution response, and support for national defense operations. The department in which the Coast Guard is operating must submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that describes the ability and time line to conduct a transit of the Northern Sea Route and periodic transits of the Northwest Passage, and that includes a plan to implement the activities set forth in this bill.