WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, chairman of the Subcommittee on Security, will convene a hearing titled, “U.S. Coast Guard Capabilities for Safeguarding National Interests and Promoting Economic Security in the Arctic,” at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 8, 2020. The hearing will examine how the United States Coast Guard (USCG) 2019 Arctic Strategic Outlook is being resourced through acquisition plans, training exercises, and infrastructure investments, and the importance of USCG presence in the Arctic as commercial sea traffic increases. The hearing will also address the security implications of Chinese and Russian interests in the Arctic and the current state of the USCG’s icebreaking capacity. 

Witness Panel 1: 

• Admiral Charles Ray, Vice Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard

Witness Panel 2:

• Dr. Jennifer Francis, PhD, Senior Scientist, Woodwell Climate Research Center
• Mr. Randy Kee, Major General, United States Air Force (Retired), Executive Director, Arctic Domain Awareness Center
• Ms. Stephanie Madsen, Executive Director, At-Sea Processors Association

*Witness list subject to change 

Hearing Details:

Tuesday, December 8, 2020
2:30 p.m.
Subcommittee on Security (Hybrid)

This hearing will take place in the Russell Senate Office Building 253. Witness testimony, opening statements, and a live video of the hearing will be available on www.commerce.senate.gov.

*In order to maintain physical distancing as advised by the Office of the Attending Physician, seating for credentialed press will be limited throughout the course of the hearing. Due to current limited access to the Capitol complex, the general public is encouraged to view this hearing via the live stream.