Ranking Member Shaheen, Senator Murkowski lead bipartisan all-women congressional delegation to Svalbard

SVALBARD, NORWAY – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Co-Chair of the Senate Arctic Caucus, led a bipartisan, all-women congressional delegation to Svalbard, Norway for engagements focused on Arctic governance, scientific research and regional security. The delegation included U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Katie Britt (R-AL) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS). The Senators were also joined by Norway’s ambassador to the United States, Anniken Huitfeldt.

The delegation met with researchers and officials from the Arctic University of Norway (UiT), the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), Norwegian officials and Governor of Svalbard, Lars Fause, for briefings on Arctic geopolitics, climate impacts, scientific cooperation and emerging operational challenges in the High North. Discussions also focused on the Svalbard Treaty, maritime access, Arctic governance and the implications of increasing Russian and Chinese activity in the region.

The Senators traveled to Isfjord Radio and participated in field briefings examining environmental changes in the Arctic and the effects of warming temperatures on infrastructure, shipping routes and local communities. The delegation also visited SvalSat and received briefings on satellite operations, space infrastructure and the importance of Arctic-based communications and monitoring capabilities.

Across the engagements, the Senators underscored that scientific cooperation, strong alliances and sustained Arctic engagement are essential to protecting shared security and economic interests in the region.

Originally published on May 25, 2026 by the Foreign Relations Committee.

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