House bill targets 300,000 tons of Russian diesel

Representative Brian Fitzpatrick introduced a bill on October 24 to cancel a Treasury waiver that authorizes the import of more than 300,000 metric tons of Russian diesel. The legislation, the Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act of 2026, aims to reverse an executive action that allows Moscow to sell fuel to the United States. Fitzpatrick, a Pennsylvania Republican and co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, co-sponsored the measure with Republican Don Bacon of Nebraska and Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington. The bill has been referred to three House committees for review.

The proposed law would void the waiver issued by the Treasury Department on October 9. That waiver permits transactions involving Russian diesel, including imports into the US market. The current authorization is set to expire on April 7, 2027. The new legislation would also prohibit future waivers for Russian energy imports. It requires intelligence agencies to support Ukraine’s defense capabilities and notify congressional intelligence committees within 24 hours of any service interruption.

President Donald Trump defended the energy deal as a method to expand global diesel supplies and lower prices. He announced the arrangement following talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump stated that Russia agreed to provide the initial 300,000 metric tons to US and global markets immediately. He indicated that further shipments would follow. Diesel prices have risen sharply due to energy supply disruptions linked to the war in Iran.

Sponsors argue the waiver conflicts with a 2022 federal ban on Russian oil imports. Fitzpatrick stated that the US must not import a single drop of Russian oil. Bacon described the executive action as egregious appeasement to Putin. Gluesenkamp Perez suggested that Trump should focus on ending the war in Iran to lower gasoline prices rather than directing American money to Russia.

Simultaneously, eight lawmakers from both parties urged Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to expand the Pentagon’s Starshield contract. They demand guaranteed uninterrupted satellite service for Ukraine. The group includes Representatives Marcy Kaptur, Fitzpatrick, and Mike Quigley, along with Senators Mark Kelly, Thom Tillis, and Elissa Slotkin. They requested restored speeds and adequate coverage for military operations, including those over Russian territory. The lawmakers also proposed using the Defense Production Act to manage service decisions.

Ukrainian officials reported that restrictions introduced on October 13 disrupted communications for drones moving faster than 100 miles per hour. These disruptions hindered the guidance of defensive platforms. Kyiv stated on October 24 that satellite connection speeds had been restored. A Ukrainian official familiar with the matter noted that SpaceX had not responded to questions about the earlier limits. The official said Kyiv has been in contact with the US government but that no one has explained the cause or the next steps.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the limits remained in place despite Trump’s claim that service had been restored after contact with Elon Musk. Several Democrats are seeking clarification on the decision-making process. Representative Gregory Meeks and Senator Peter Welch questioned Musk’s assertion that the military and the president decided on the restrictions. Senator Richard Blumenthal demanded written answers from Musk by November 5 and a briefing by November 12. Representatives Sam Liccardo, Ro Khanna, and Jimmy Panetta asked White House chief of staff Susie Wiles to launch a government-wide investigation.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied that Trump or other officials ordered or knew of the restrictions. Senator Thom Tillis wrote on X that whoever is handing Putin the gift of a more vulnerable Ukraine should have the guts to put their name on it. The legislative push combines energy policy and defense logistics in an effort to coordinate US support for Ukraine. The bills and inquiries reflect a bipartisan effort to assert congressional oversight over both trade waivers and military communications contracts.