Bill Would Void 300,000-Ton Russian Diesel Waiver and Force 24-Hour Satellite Alerts

Lawmakers from both parties have introduced legislation to reverse a recent executive decision allowing Russian diesel into the US market.

The proposed measure targets a Treasury Department waiver issued on October 9, 2026, which authorized transactions involving Russian fuel. President Donald Trump announced the deal after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that Russia agreed to supply more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel to US and global markets. Trump defended the arrangement as a method to expand global supplies and lower prices, noting that diesel costs had risen due to disruptions linked to the war in Iran.

Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, a Pennsylvania Republican and co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, introduced the Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act of 2026. The bill is co-sponsored by Republican Don Bacon of Nebraska and Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington. If passed, the act would cancel the current waiver, which is scheduled to expire on April 7, 2027, and prohibit future waivers for Russian energy imports. The legislation also requires intelligence agencies to notify congressional committees within 24 hours of any interruption to Ukraine's defense support.

The bill has been referred to three House committees for review. Fitzpatrick stated that the US must not import a single drop of Russian oil. Bacon described the waiver as the president's egregious appeasement to Putin. Gluesenkamp Perez argued that the administration should focus on ending the war in Iran to lower gasoline prices rather than directing funds to Russia.

Simultaneously, eight members of Congress have written to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding satellite communications for Ukraine. The group includes Representatives Marcy Kaptur, Fitzpatrick, and Mike Quigley, along with Senators Mark Kelly, Thom Tillis, and Elissa Slotkin. They requested that the Pentagon expand its Starshield contract to ensure uninterrupted service for Ukrainian military operations. The lawmakers asked for restored connection speeds and adequate coverage, including over Russian territory. They suggested using the Defense Production Act to prevent service decisions from relying solely on a private provider.

Ukrainian officials reported that restrictions introduced on October 13 disrupted communications for drones moving faster than 100 miles per hour. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the limits persisted despite Trump's claim that service had been restored following contact with Elon Musk. A Ukrainian official told RFE/RL that Kyiv has not received an explanation from SpaceX regarding the earlier limits.

Several Democrats are seeking written answers from Musk and the White House. Representative Gregory Meeks and Senator Peter Welch questioned Musk's claim that the military and the president decided on the restrictions. Senator Richard Blumenthal demanded written answers from Musk by November 5 and a briefing by November 12. Representatives Sam Liccardo, Ro Khanna, and Jimmy Panetta asked White House chief of staff Susie Wiles to lead a government-wide investigation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied that Trump or other officials ordered the restrictions. Senator Thom Tillis wrote on X that whoever is handing Putin the gift of a more vulnerable Ukraine should put their name on it.