Bipartisan US Bill seeks to block Trump’s Russian diesel deal

A bipartisan coalition of US lawmakers has proposed legislation aimed at nullifying the Trump administration's authorization of Russian diesel imports, arguing that it contravenes a 2022 law prohibiting Russian oil imports. Representatives Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Democrat, Washington), Brian Fitzpatrick (Republican, Pennsylvania), and Don Bacon (Republican, Nebraska) introduced the Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act last week, according to Perez's office.

The measure would invalidate the Treasury Department's Russian oil waiver, effectively rendering General License 135 ineffective, and prevent future waivers or general licenses for importing Russian energy products. Additionally, the bill would restrict Treasury's spending on agreements that defy the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act of 2022 and mandate intelligence agencies to report any interruptions in Ukrainian defense to Congress within 24 hours.

Gluesenkamp Perez emphasized that the administration's deal to import Russian oil contradicts national interests and the bipartisan will of Congress, alongside the 2022 law explicitly banning Russian oil imports. Fitzpatrick called for ending the war in Iran to lower gas prices rather than sending taxpayer money to Putin. Bacon criticized the administration for facilitating Putin's war economy, while Bacon also highlighted India's scrutiny of Russian crude purchases in response to Western energy imports.

The bill follows criticism of the administration's move to acquire Russian diesel amid high fuel prices resulting from the Middle East conflict. Senator Thom Tillis has accused Trump of breaching the 2022 import ban, and the waiver has garnered attention in India, which Washington has urged to cease buying Russian crude.