3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 22
Summary
Senate Democrats are preparing an investigation into U.S. diesel companies tied to the Trump administration’s decision to ease sanctions on Russian fuel, with the Foreign Relations Committee already telling companies to preserve documents.
The planned probe centers on Trump’s waiver through April, announced earlier this month, under which Russia would immediately release 300,000 tons of diesel and larger volumes later.
Democrats argue the move may do little to cut fuel costs because a global diesel shortage far exceeds the promised supply, even as high gas prices and the war in Iran keep pressure on energy markets before November’s midterms.
The deal has drawn bipartisan criticism because Congress imposed the diesel sanctions in 2022 after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and lawmakers also object to Trump’s broader easing of Russian energy sanctions.