Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) said over the weekend he will force a House vote to block Russian oil purchases. The move directly challenges President Donald Trump’s new diesel deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Axios reported.
Fitzpatrick co-chairs the Congressional Ukraine Caucus. He said he would introduce the “Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act” and use a discharge petition to get around Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.). A discharge petition needs 218 signatures to bring a bill to the floor without leadership’s approval.
“It will be forced to the Floor via discharge and it will pass overwhelmingly,” Fitzpatrick wrote on X.
Retiring Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) told Axios he has “already agreed” to sign it.
Trump announced Friday that Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel to U.S. and global markets. He has pitched the deal as a way to lower fuel prices, but energy analysts doubt it will make much difference. Critics also warn it could help pay for Russia’s war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the deal “not fair and not honest.” On Saturday, Trump called for Ukraine to replace Zelensky.
Fitzpatrick and Bacon used the same tactic earlier this year to force a House vote on Ukraine aid and Russia sanctions. That bill passed the House but stalled in the Senate.
Time is short this time too. The House isn’t scheduled to vote again until after the Nov. 3 midterms. Any bill would still need to pass the Senate and could face a Trump veto.
