US Lawmakers Draft Bill to Block Russian Oil Purchases

A group of United States lawmakers are preparing to introduce a bill aimed at blocking President Donald Trump's decision to lift the Russian oil embargo. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a Republican from Pennsylvania, has announced he will present a bipartisan bill called the "Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act," which would prevent any U.S. government purchases of Russian oil.

The former FBI Special Agent stated that the bill will be pushed to the floor and pass overwhelmingly. Other Republicans, including Rep. Don Bacon from Nebraska, have agreed to be original cosponsors of the bill.

Democrats have expressed strong opposition to the Trump administration's reversal on the Russian oil deal. Senator Chuck Schumer from New York accused Trump of making a "deal with the devil" to boost his "flailing political fortunes." He stated that the deal will only aid and abet Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is supporting Iran in targeting American troops and illegally invading Ukraine.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal from Connecticut urged Trump to "rescind this agreement immediately," warning that it will benefit the Chinese and Russian economies and lead to more innocent casualties in Ukraine.

Rep. Don Beyer from Virginia, the senior Democrat on the Joint Economic Committee, recalled previous warnings about Trump's lack of trustworthiness when it comes to Russia. He argued that granting the President expanded tariff powers in the hope he would use them to help Ukraine was a mistake. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told the TASS news agency that up to 1 million tons of diesel could be exported by December, with the potential to eventually reach 3 million tons per month.