GOP Lawmakers Move to Block Trump's Russian Diesel Deal

Multiple Republicans have publicly opposed President Donald Trump's deal with Russia to increase diesel supplies to U.S. markets, as bipartisan lawmakers introduced a bill this week to block the agreement. The deal, announced October 9, would bring over 300,000 tons of Russian diesel immediately, with additional shipments totaling 1 million tons later. Trump signed an executive order waiving some sanctions under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, citing national interest and aiming to lower fuel prices ahead of midterm elections. Republican Representative Don Bacon is the sole GOP co-sponsor of the "Prohibit Corrupt Russia Oil Deals Act," while four House Republicans signed a letter urging revocation of Treasury's General License 135. Six Republican senators, including Mitch McConnell and Susan Collins, signed a letter calling the deal a betrayal of Ukraine. October 18 marks the first implementation deadline under the sanctions law.