Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Block Trump Russian Diesel Deals
Congressman Gregory Meeks and a bipartisan group introduced legislation to block President Donald Trump's arrangement to import Russian diesel fuel.
A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers introduced the Prohibit Corrupt Russia Oil Deals Act on Friday to block an arrangement by Donald Trump to import Russian diesel. The legislation, introduced by Congressman Gregory Meeks, seeks to invalidate Treasury Department licenses that permit Russian fuel transactions and prohibits the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation from investing in Russian energy.
Meeks argues that the administration's policy provides financial resources to the government of Vladimir Putin for the war in Ukraine and contradicts broader efforts to pressure Moscow. He stated that the deal "won’t lower costs for the American people, who are already paying for Trump’s failed war of choice in Iran."
While the bill has bipartisan support, including Republican Congressman Don Bacon, it must still pass through the legislative process. In a related effort, lawmakers Michael McCaul and Jim Costa sent a letter urging the administration to fully implement the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act by October 18, specifically calling for secondary tariffs on major Russian crude purchasers such as India and China.
