Republican Lawmakers Criticize Trump Over Diesel Agreement with Russia

<p>President Donald Trump announced a diesel agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that prices for the fuel would decrease significantly. In a post on Truth Social dated October 9, Trump claimed that Russia would supply over 300,000 tons of diesel fuel to the global market immediately, with additional deliveries planned for November and thereafter.</p><p>Trump stated, "Between our TOTAL CONTROL of the Strait of Hormuz, and this great announcement on Russian Energy, Diesel Prices for Americans and, indeed, the World, will be COMING DOWN, IN RECORD NUMBERS, AND FAST!" He emphasized that lowering prices for Americans, particularly farmers, ranchers, and truckers, is a priority.</p><p>However, some Republican lawmakers have expressed opposition to the agreement. Outgoing Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska criticized Trump's policies towards Russia and Ukraine, stating that supporting Putin's economy is morally wrong. He called for moral clarity in U.S. policy.</p><p>Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., announced plans to introduce bipartisan legislation to block all purchases of Russian oil, which he referred to as the "Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act." Bacon has agreed to be a co-sponsor of this legislation.</p><p>A bipartisan group of senators, including Democratic Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, Richard Blumenthal, Ron Wyden, and Republican Sens. Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Thom Tillis, and John Curtis, issued a statement urging the administration to reverse its decision. They noted that Congress had banned Russian energy imports in 2022 to prevent U.S. dollars from funding Putin's war against Ukraine.</p><p>The statement asserted, "President Trump’s decision to allow Russian diesel imports to the U.S. runs directly counter to that law." It also criticized the administration for not consulting Congress or providing justification for the decision.</p><p>Former U.S. Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette expressed skepticism about the agreement's potential to lower diesel prices significantly. He explained that the agreement may not involve new barrels of diesel entering the market, which could limit its impact on prices.</p><p>Brouillette stated, "What we're in essence doing is rearranging the barrels. We're moving the barrels from one customer to another customer. We're not producing new barrels of diesel, which is really what the market is expecting and wanting."</p><p>Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment.</p>