Dems could probe Russian diesel importers

Dems could probe Russian diesel importers

Democrats and outgoing Republican Sen. Thom Tillis (N.C.) are telling banks and ports that Congress may investigate imports of Russian diesel after President Trump said the U.S. would import the fuel.

© Stephanie Scarbrough, Associated Press

In letters to major banks and several U.S. port authorities, the lawmakers wrote that “any importation of Russian diesel into the U.S. raises significant legal questions and may be subject to legal action, as well as congressional investigations.”

“Companies that import products in violation of U.S. law may expose themselves to both criminal and civil liability,” they wrote. “Moreover, criminal penalties may apply to any company that knowingly buys Russian diesel or facilitates its importation, and not simply the importer of record.”

In the letters, Tillis, as well as Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) and Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chris Coons (Del.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), asked the banks and ports to preserve records of any proposed or actual imports or transactions related to Russian diesel.

If Democrats take back one or both chambers of Congress in the midterm elections, they will gain significant investigative and oversight powers and could probe President Trump’s efforts to import diesel fuel from Russia.

Asked about the latest letter, the administration said its move to lift sanctions is legal and consistent with similar actions previously taken by the Treasury Department’s sanctions office.

“The Democrats are already telegraphing that, once again, they have no agenda to improve the lives of Americans and will instead continue their decade-long obsession with investigating President Trump,” White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said in an email.

Welcome to The Hill’s Energy & Environment newsletter, I’m Rachel Frazin — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains.

Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here.

How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future:

The Trump administration unveiled new initiatives for U.S. fishermen Friday, including a new government website known as Seafood.gov.

The Trump administration’s $8 billion relief program for farmers is throwing a lifeline to the industry, but producers are still facing lower margins due to high diesel prices amid the Iran war — and experts say the move might only buy time for solving deeper challenges.

News we’ve flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics :

How Trump Gave the Worst Polluters a Free Pass ( The New York Times )

Trump wants to strip California of coastal protections unless state yields to list of demands ( The Los Angeles Times )

EPA unveils effort to boost tech to handle ‘forever chemicals’ ( The Washington Examiner )

Republican Rep. Thomas Massie (Ky.), on Monday indicated he would reintroduce articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth should he remain at the Pentagon after Congress returns to Washington, D.C., following the November midterm elections. Read more

The Pentagon is pressing Congress to keep measures in the annual defense policy bill that would formally authorize the name change from Department of Defense to “Department of War.” Read more