U.S. Rep. Don Young is joining the call for additional U.S. icebreakers. An announcement from the Alaska Republican's office Tuesday says Young has introduced legislation that would authorize the Coast Guard to lease two new icebreakers.

Young says the race for the Arctic has begun and the United States is "getting beaten by the likes of China and Russia."

He says that with sea ice melting, the potential for new resource development and transportation is enormous.

U.S. Sen. Mark Begich on Tuesday was a sponsor of the Coast Guard reauthorization legislation. Among its provisions is a requirement that the Coast Guard continue to operate at least two heavy polar icebreakers. The measure also would require the Coast Guard to study establishing a deep water sea port in the Arctic.