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President Donald Trump last week touted a diesel agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, asserting that prices for the fuel would swiftly fall, but some Republicans have responded by rebuking the president's move.
"I have just concluded a highly successful discussion with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, wherein it was agreed that Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel to the American and Global Marketplace, another 500,000 Tons during the month of November, and 1,000,000 Tons immediately thereafter. Additionally, based on the condition of their Diesel Refineries, Russia will then deliver, within a short period of time, 3,000,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel," Trump declared in an Oct. 9 Truth Social post.
"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! Lower prices for Americans, especially our Great Farmers, Ranchers, and Truckers, is my Greatest Priority. This is a very big and important announcement. Additionally, it must be understood, that Iran will not have a Nuclear Weapon!" Trump declared.
The announcement sparked blowback from some Republicans, including outgoing Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, who declared in a post on X that Trump's "policies towards Russia and Ukraine are failures."
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"Propping up Putin’s war economy is morally wrong as he uses that money to bomb cities," Bacon asserted. "We need moral clarity not moral ambiguity."
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., declared in a post on Saturday, "We will be introducing bipartisan legislation to block any and all purchases of Russian oil. It will be called the 'Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act.' It will be forced to the Floor via discharge and it will pass overwhelmingly."
Bacon shared Fitzpatrick's post and noted, "I’ve already agreed to be an original cosponsor. Congress must make a stand."
A bipartisan group of senators — including Democratic Sens. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Ron Wyden of Oregon, as well as GOP Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and John Curtis of Utah — joined together in a statement pressing the administration to "reverse course."
"Congress explicitly banned Russian energy imports in 2022 to prevent American dollars from financing Putin’s brutal war against Ukraine. Congress was clear: The U.S. should not import oil from Russia until it ends its aggression against Ukraine and ceases threats against our NATO Allies," the statement declares.
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"President Trump’s decision to allow Russian diesel imports to the U.S. runs directly counter to that law. The Administration has also failed to consult with Congress or submit any explanation to justify its decision as required by statute. The United States should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians. The Administration must immediately reverse course," the statement adds.
Tillis, an outgoing senator who is not seeking re-election, is the author of the recently released book, "How to Lose Friends and Antagonize Presidents." Shaheen is also not seeking another term.
Former U.S. Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette explained during a Monday appearance on FOX Business that he does not expect the agreement to cause the price of diesel to decline significantly.
He said that he believes "it's important for Americans to realize that ... we may not be talking about brand new barrels to the marketplace. So if there's an expectation that prices are gonna come down dramatically as a result of this agreement, I'm a bit skeptical of that."
Brouillette said that if the aim is to decrease "prices in the long term," then it is "challenging to see how this is going to help. What we're in essence doing is rearranging the barrels," Brouillette explained, "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."
Fox News Digital reached out to the White House on Monday.
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