Lawmakers Push Bill to Void 300,000-Ton Russian Diesel Deal

A bipartisan group of US lawmakers introduced legislation on October 24 to cancel a Treasury Department waiver that authorized the import of more than 300,000 metric tons of Russian diesel. The bill, titled the Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act of 2026, seeks to reverse a decision made by the Trump administration to ease limits on Russian energy imports.

The legislative move follows a waiver issued by the Treasury Department on October 9. This waiver permitted transactions involving Russian diesel fuel, including direct imports into the United States. The waiver is currently set to expire on April 7, 2027. The new bill would void this existing authorization and prohibit any future waivers for Russian energy imports.

Representative Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania introduced the measure. He is a Republican and co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus. He is joined by Republican Don Bacon of Nebraska and Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington. The bill has been referred to three House committees for review. If passed, it would require intelligence agencies to support Ukraine's defense efforts.

The legislation also addresses communications gaps in the ongoing conflict. It mandates that intelligence agencies notify congressional intelligence committees within 24 hours of any interruption to satellite services used by Ukraine. This provision responds to reports that access to SpaceX's Starlink and Starshield systems was restricted in mid-October.

President Trump defended the diesel arrangement as a strategy to expand global supplies and lower prices. He announced the deal after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump stated that Russia agreed to immediately provide over 300,000 metric tons of diesel to US and global markets. Diesel prices have risen sharply due to energy supply disruptions linked to the war in Iran.

Sponsors of the bill argue that the waiver undercuts a federal ban on Russian oil imports enacted in 2022. Fitzpatrick stated that the US must not import a single drop of Russian oil. Bacon accused the president of reversing past criticisms of European energy policy. Gluesenkamp Perez suggested that ending the war in Iran would be a more effective method for lowering gasoline prices.

Eight lawmakers from both parties have also pressed the Pentagon to secure satellite access for Ukraine. The group includes Representatives Marcy Kaptur, Fitzpatrick, and Mike Quigley, as well as Senators Mark Kelly, Thom Tillis, and Elissa Slotkin. They asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to expand the Starshield contract and guarantee uninterrupted service for military operations.

Ukrainian officials reported that restrictions imposed on October 13 disrupted communications for drones moving faster than 100 miles per hour. These disruptions hindered the guidance of defensive drones. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the limits remained in place despite claims that service had been restored. Speeds were reported as normal on October 24, but it remains unclear who initially imposed the restrictions.

Several Democrats are seeking formal answers regarding the satellite changes. Representatives Sam Liccardo, Ro Khanna, and Jimmy Panetta asked White House chief of staff Susie Wiles for a government-wide investigation. Senator Richard Blumenthal has demanded written answers from Elon Musk by November 5. He also requested a SpaceX briefing by November 12. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied that Trump ordered or knew of the restrictions.