All-female Senate delegation sets off for High North amid growing military tensions
An all-female, bipartisan delegation of U.S. senators is traveling to the Arctic on Friday to reaffirm America’s commitments to allies against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the High North.
Led by Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, the group will visit Canada, Greenland, Norway and Iceland to “examine U.S. and allied Arctic security, infrastructure and research capabilities amid growing geopolitical competition in the region from Russia and China,” according to a press release.
The itinerary is set to include briefings at Pituffik Space Base in Greenland on Arctic defense and strategic competition in the region.
President Donald Trump’s administration has sought to expand Washington’s strategic footprint in Greenland. Earlier this year, Trump suggested that U.S. forces could seize the semiautonomous Danish territory on national security grounds.
His push elicited a sharp rebuke from officials in both Greenland and Denmark, with the latter rejecting any potential for negotiation or territorial acquisition. The episode also roiled relations between the Trump administration and traditional European allies more broadly.
The all-female delegation that sets off on Friday is also expected to meet with U.S. military personnel, Indigenous communities, allied officials, Arctic researchers and regional leaders on emerging operational and strategic dynamics across the region.
Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire make up the Democratic side of the delegation, while Sens. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, Katie Britt of Alabama, and Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi represent the GOP.
An all-female bipartisan delegation of U.S. senators is traveling to the Arctic to reaffirm U.S. commitments to allies amid escalating tensions. The group will visit Canada, Greenland, Norway, and Iceland to assess Arctic security and infrastructure. They are expected to meet with military personnel and regional leaders during their trip, which includes briefings at Pituffik Space Base in Greenland.
- An all-female bipartisan delegation of U.S. senators is traveling to the Arctic.
- The delegation will visit Canada, Greenland, Norway, and Iceland.
- The purpose is to examine U.S. and allied Arctic security and infrastructure.
- The trip includes briefings at Pituffik Space Base in Greenland.
- The delegation will meet with military personnel and regional leaders.