US lawmakers have introduced two bipartisan bills to reverse President Donald Trump’s Russian diesel import waiver and block future energy exemptions. The legislation seeks tougher sanctions on Moscow, protect Ukraine and challenge policies critics say could benefit Russia’s war economy.
A bipartisan group of US lawmakers has introduced two bills in the House of Representatives seeking to reverse President Donald Trump’s decision to permit certain transactions involving Russian-origin diesel and prevent future waivers on Russian energy imports. The legislative pushback comes amid concerns that easing restrictions could provide financial support to Moscow while its war against Ukraine continues.
The two proposals target General License 135, issued by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on October 9. The licence authorises specified transactions involving Russian-origin diesel, including imports into the United States, through April 2027.
Republican Representative Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania introduced the Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act of 2026, designated H.R. 10866, on October 22. Republican Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska and Democratic Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington joined as original cosponsors.
Separately, Representative Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced the Prohibit Corrupt Russia Oil Deals Act, H.R. 10828, on October 15.
Both bills seek to restrict the administration’s ability to relax restrictions on Russian energy through administrative exemptions, although they propose different legislative mechanisms.
Fitzpatrick’s bill would amend the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act to prevent OFAC from issuing waivers or general licences for importing Russian energy products. It would also declare General License 135 to have no legal effect and require US intelligence support for Ukraine, according to the proposed legislation.
“We must not import a single drop of Russian oil,” Fitzpatrick said, arguing that Congress had made its position clear through bipartisan legislation in 2022. He added that the law should not be undermined through administrative waivers.
Bacon also criticised the administration’s decision, saying it contradicted previous Republican arguments against European purchases of Russian energy. He contended that such transactions could help Russian President Vladimir Putin sustain his country’s war economy.
Gluesenkamp Perez argued that the administration should pursue other measures to address fuel prices rather than allow arrangements that could benefit Moscow. Her remarks reflected concerns among some lawmakers that energy policy should not weaken the pressure on Russia.
The second proposal, introduced by Meeks, seeks to nullify existing OFAC general licences related to Russian energy and prohibit future exemptions. It would also prevent the US International Development Finance Corporation from investing in Russian energy projects and require the administration to impose sanctions on Russian energy, according to House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats.
Meeks warned that easing restrictions could provide Moscow with additional revenue while Ukrainian civilians continue to suffer from the war. His bill has 17 cosponsors, including Indian American Representative Ami Bera of California and Republican Representative Bacon, the committee said.
The legislative developments follow another decision by Trump to waive Russia-related sanctions under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. The law targets countries purchasing Russian oil, and the waiver spared buyers, including India, from a 100 per cent tariff that was due to take effect, according to the supplied report.
India is among the largest buyers of Russian crude oil. The tariff waiver is separate from General License 135, which concerns specified transactions involving Russian-origin diesel. Fitzpatrick’s bill, as introduced, addresses US imports and licensing authority but does not seek to change the tariff-waiver authority under the Graham Act.
The distinction is significant because the two policy decisions involve different mechanisms: one concerns the direct importation of Russian energy products into the United States, while the other concerns potential tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil.
Both bills have been referred to several House committees, but neither has been scheduled for a vote. Their progress will depend on congressional consideration and political support.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has indicated that lawmakers need to discuss the easing of sanctions with the White House. It remains uncertain whether either proposal will advance or secure sufficient support to become law.
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The debate highlights divisions in Washington over how to balance energy prices, international trade and pressure on Russia. Supporters of the proposed legislation argue that restrictions must remain firm to prevent Russian energy revenues from supporting the war in Ukraine, while the administration’s waivers have prompted questions about the direction of US sanctions policy.
The Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act, enacted in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, prohibits US imports of Russian crude oil, petroleum products, liquefied natural gas and coal. The new bills seek to prevent exemptions from weakening those restrictions and to reinforce congressional oversight of US policy towards Russian energy.
