Donald Trump urged by senators to reverse Washington Russian diesel plan
President Donald Trump faced demands from six senators in Washington on Sunday to halt Russian fuel purchases. Lawmakers warned the agreement violates federal law and provides funding for Moscow during its war against Ukraine.
The Republican president announced the arrangement Friday on social media following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The measure aims to lower high fuel costs.
Russia will immediately provide over 300,000 tons of diesel, according to Donald Trump. Another 500,000 tons would arrive in November. One million tons would follow immediately after that shipment. Russia will deliver an additional 3 million tons within a short period.
Four Republicans and two Democrats signed the bipartisan statement on Sunday. The lawmakers said the administration did not consult Congress. They said officials failed to submit legally required justifications.
“The United States should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians. The Administration must immediately reverse course,” they wrote.
The Republican signers include Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and John Curtis of Utah. The Democratic members are Sens. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut.
Tillis spoke Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” He stated there is a legitimate case that the president is not following the law.
“We were very clear that Russia is the aggressor. Russia is the one who can end this war by backing out of territory that they occupied,” Tillis said.
The announcement followed recent congressional legislation passed in Washington. That law directed Trump to place heavy tariffs on top importers of Russian oil or natural gas. An exception exists for nations importing under 15 percent of Russian natural gas exports if they reduce imports.
The legislation sought to reduce Russian revenues from energy sales. Lawmakers stated that Congress banned Russian energy imports in 2022.
“Congress was clear: the U.S. should not import oil from Russia until it ends its aggression against Ukraine and ceases threats against our NATO Allies,” the six lawmakers wrote in their statement. “President Trump’s decision to allow Russian diesel imports to the U.S. runs directly counter to that law.”
Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., appeared Sunday on CBS’s “Face the Nation.” He said Trump is focused on cutting energy prices.
“The president is balancing and has to make tough decisions,” Barrasso said. He urged Trump to enforce the sanctions law passed last month.
“This is just another point of leverage for the president to use against Putin in an effort to get a long-term solution in that part of the world,” Barrasso said.
Trump recently blamed Ukraine for record domestic fuel prices. A U.S.-led war in Iran has raised energy costs globally.
Congress creates federal trade laws and oversees economic sanctions programs. The executive branch manages foreign policy and enforces statutory restrictions. Lawmakers review presidential actions to ensure compliance with federal statutes in Washington.
The senators demand that the administration follow existing import restrictions.
