Fitzpatrick said in a post on X that the measure would be titled the "Ronald Reagan 'Peace Through Strength' Act." He holds several leadership posts in the House of Representatives: he co-chairs the Ukraine support caucus, heads the CIA subcommittee on the intelligence committee, and sits on the Ways and Means Committee.
According to Fitzpatrick, the bill will be brought to a vote through a discharge petition, a procedure that allows lawmakers to bypass House leadership and force consideration without the consent of Speaker Mike Johnson. It requires the signatures of at least 218 congressmen. Fitzpatrick said the document "will be passed by an overwhelming majority."
Republican Don Bacon of Nebraska confirmed he is ready to sign the petition and co-sponsor the measure. He said lifting restrictions on Russian diesel is a "serious mistake" that "looks like weakness." Bacon also suggested Trump's decision is tied to the upcoming elections and noted that, according to polls, about 70% of Americans support Ukraine.
Other influential Republicans have also come out against the deal. Former House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Michael McCaul warned that easing sanctions would help finance the Russian war machine. Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski urged the administration to use the sanctions powers provided by a September law: discussing Russia's return to global energy markets, she said, is possible only after the war ends.
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the lifting of restrictions "disgusting" and said it effectively forces American drivers to finance Russia's war against Ukraine. Johnson also said it is wrong to blame Kyiv for rising fuel prices, since the surge began after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Former U.S. special representative for Ukraine, General Keith Kellogg, said on Fox News that Vladimir Putin is trying to use the diesel supply agreement to protect Russian refineries from Ukrainian strikes.
Trump's decision itself is another source of criticism. Independent Senator Angus King, who usually votes with Democrats, said the supply of 300,000 tons of diesel in October and 500,000 tons in November together are comparable to roughly one day of U.S. consumption of the fuel. In the senator's view, the deal will barely help American consumers but will benefit Russia.
Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, senior Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee Jeanne Shaheen and senior Democrat on the Banking Committee Elizabeth Warren issued a joint statement. They called Trump's decision to allow the sale of Russian diesel a "betrayal of Ukraine, European allies and U.S. national security" and accused the president of trying to solve domestic political problems by easing pressure on Moscow.
Trump announced "very successful" talks with Putin on October 9, during which an agreement was reached on supplies of Russian diesel to the United States and the global market. Putin confirmed the phone call and said Russia is ready to supply oil and petroleum products to the American and world markets.
A ban on imports of Russian energy carriers has been in effect since April 2022, introduced by President Joe Biden when he signed the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act. The document sets special conditions for ending the ban: the president must provide Congress with written confirmation that Russia has reached an agreement acceptable to Ukraine on withdrawing troops.
Little time remains to pass a new law. The House does not plan to hold votes before the elections, and the current Congress's powers expire in January 2027. Even if the House approves the initiative, it will need Senate support, and Trump could veto it.