GOP lawmakers push bill to block Trump’s Russian diesel deal amid Ukraine war backlash
WASHINGTON, DC: Republican lawmakers are moving to challenge President Donald Trump’s decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports, with Rep Brian Fitzpatrick announcing legislation on Saturday, October 10, to block purchases of Russian oil.
The dispute comes after Trump announced on Friday, October 9, that Russia would supply 300,000 tons of diesel to the United States and global markets, with additional shipments planned.
Several Republicans, along with Democrats, have sharply criticized the decision, arguing that easing sanctions could provide revenue to Russian President Vladimir Putin as the war in Ukraine continues.
Everyone is being promised cheaper diesel from Russia, but President Trump’s 9th October announcement assigns no specific tonnage to the US. The schedule is over 300,000 tons immediately, another 500,000 in November and 1 million afterward, for American and global markets. The largest tranche, another 3 million tons, explicitly depends on Russia’s refinery condition. Washington has authorized Russian diesel imports through 7 April 2027. Moscow says it is beginning to lift its export restrictions early. Both governments can remove trade barriers while damaged refineries still limit production. Russia does not need every refinery repaired to export some fuel. But permission to sell does not establish how much additional diesel will reach the world market, rather than move between buyers. POTUS Trump gets a supply announcement 25 days before the midterms. Putin gets access to sales previously restricted by US sanctions. The price question is how much extra fuel actually arrives, where and when. The announcement alone cannot answer it.
— Shanaka Anslem Perera ⚡ (@shanaka86) October 9, 2026
Brian Fitzpatrick moves to block Russian oil purchases
Fitzpatrick, co-chair of the House Ukraine Caucus, announced that he would introduce the ‘Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act’, which he said would block purchases of Russian oil. Republican Rep Don Bacon has also agreed to co-sponsor the legislation.
“We will be introducing bipartisan legislation to block any and all purchases of Russian oil,” Fitzpatrick wrote on X. “It will be forced to the Floor via discharge and it will pass overwhelmingly.”
We will be introducing bipartisan legislation to block any and all purchases of Russian oil. It will be called the “Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act.” It will be forced to the Floor via discharge and it will pass overwhelmingly. #PeaceThroughStrength
— Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick 🇺🇸 (@RepBrianFitz) October 10, 2026
A discharge petition can bring legislation to a House vote without approval from the relevant committee or House leadership if it receives 218 signatures.
The effort faces timing constraints, as Congress is not scheduled to resume voting for several weeks and the current congressional term ends in January. Other Republicans have also raised objections.
HIGHLAND, Mich. — At a campaign stop, Mike Rogers and Rep. John Kennedy criticize Trump’s deal to obtain diesel from Russia. “Not on importing it from Russia,” Rogers said when asked by @igorbobic if he agrees with the decision. “I support the president's decision to import diesel. I don't support his decision to import it from Putin,” Kennedy said.
— Mychael Schnell (@mychaelschnell) October 9, 2026
Senator John Kennedy said he supported Trump’s efforts to reduce fuel prices but opposed importing diesel from Russia.
“I don’t support his decision to import it from Putin. He’s a butcher of his own people,” Kennedy said. "So the president is doing everything he can to get diesel prices down. But you know what’s going to bring diesel prices down? An end to the war in Iran.”
Republicans, including Rep Michael McCaul and Senator Lisa Murkowski, questioned the decision to ease restrictions on Russian energy exports. McCaul warned that lifting sanctions could fund the Kremlin’s war effort, while Murkowski urged Trump to use existing authorities to pressure Moscow instead.
Through the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, we gave the president significant authorities and leverage against China and Russia to bring Putin’s war to an end with a negotiated settlement. Unfortunately, while I understand the desire to bring down diesel prices, I am concerned the lifting of sanctions on Russian oil will only fund the Kremlin’s war machine—emboldening more violence and destruction, as we have seen in recent days.
— Michael McCaul (@RepMcCaul) October 9, 2026
Congress passed the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which Trump signed in September.
The law gives the president the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major purchasers of Russian energy or countries helping Russia evade sanctions.
Democrats condemn Trump’s Russian diesel deal over sanctions concerns
Democratic lawmakers also criticized the diesel agreement. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer described it as a “deal with the devil,” arguing that it would benefit Putin despite Russia’s role in the war against Ukraine.
Senator Richard Blumenthal called on Trump to rescind the agreement, while Senator Ron Wyden said the deal would reward Putin without necessarily lowering prices.
Trump is doing a deal with the devil to try to help his flailing political fortunes from the shockingly high diesel prices caused by his own reckless, illegal war in the Middle East. This filthy deal will only aid and abet the same Putin who is helping the Iranians to target and try to kill American troops in the Middle East and who illegally and viciously invaded our ally Ukraine.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) October 9, 2026
Rep Don Beyer of Virginia also criticized the move, saying expanded tariff powers had been granted in the hope that they would be used to help Ukraine.
After Trump’s war with Iran caused oil prices to spike, the President is now considering bankrolling Russia’s slaughter of Ukrainian civilians. Lifting sanctions on Russia will only fuel Putin’s war machine and prolong the conflict in Ukraine.
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) October 9, 2026
Democratic Whip and Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin (Ill.) accused Trump of “considering bankrolling Russia’s slaughter of Ukrainian civilians.”
In a post on X, Durbin wrote that “lifting sanctions on Russia will only fuel Putin’s war machine and prolong the conflict in Ukraine.”
