Several Republicans have spoken out against President Donald Trump’s diesel deal with Russia and Newsweek has broken down who they are as bipartisan lawmakers introduced a bill this week to block the agreement. Trump announced on October 9 that Russia would supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel to U.S. and global markets immediately, then by another 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons “immediately thereafter.” "Lower prices for Americans, especially our Great Farmers, Ranchers, and Truckers, is my Greatest Priority," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. The administration is looking for ways to ease soaring fuel costs ahead of the November midterm elections, with diesel prices impacting transportation networks and agricultural operations nationwide.
Asked about resistance from within the GOP at the White House, Trump said on Monday: “Well, I think these are Republicans that can’t really be serious. It’s not really a deal with me. It’s a deal for the rest of the world.
Anything that could help our farmers, our ranchers, I like.” Trump later signed an executive order waiving the application of some sanctions, restrictions and duties under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, citing the national interest of the United States. The legislation passed the Senate 86-11, and the House 262-159 before Trump signed it into law on September 18.
It authorizes and expands sanctions, tariffs and other restrictions targeting Russia and extends existing sanctions on Iran. Among other provisions, the law allows tariffs of up to 100 percent on major purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas and expands measures targeting Russia's government, financial sector and sanctions-evasion networks. Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned against the deal, saying it could pave the way for broader economic deals and further sanctions relief for Moscow.
Trump's new order does not eliminate sanctions against Russia imposed under earlier executive orders. Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska is the only Republican who has co-sponsored the Democratic led “Prohibit Corrupt Russia Oil Deals Act,” introduced on Friday, which seeks to revoke Russian energy licenses following Trump’s deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Other Republicans have also spoken out against the deal to increase supplies of Russian diesel to U.S. and global markets, including four, alongside Bacon, who signed a bipartisan letter on Thursday, urging Trump to walk back the arrangement with Moscow and implement the sanctions.
Several Republican senators have taken action against the deal, with a statement questioning its legality and a letter urging Trump to withdraw from it. If the “Prohibit Corrupt Russia Oil Deals Act,” introduced by New York Democratic Representative Gregory W. Meeks, ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, proceeds to a House vote, these Republicans could be allies in passing it.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
