Washington, DC -- Ranking Member Gregory W. Meeks, joined by all House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats, today condemned President Trump’s decision to license Russian diesel purchases. Ranking Member Meeks, Europe Subcommittee Ranking Member Bill Keating, and Democrats introduced H.R. 8222, the End Russian Oil Windfalls Act, in April to block this kind of licensing.

“President Trump is blaming Ukraine for rising fuel costs to distract from the real cause: his war of choice in Iran. The American people are paying the price for this president’s decisions, and now he is filling the Kremlin’s war chest. It is a shameful betrayal of Ukraine, our European allies, and everything the United States stands for.

“We welcome the bipartisan condemnation of this deal. But condemnation alone is not enough. When Republicans have had the chance to do more, most have refused.

“In April, HFAC Democrats introduced the End Russian Oil Windfalls Act, legislation that would bar the administration from issuing the very licenses Trump is now using to enrich Putin. Republicans declined to cosponsor it and Republican leadership has not moved it since.

"If Republicans are genuinely outraged by this deal they should join us, pass this legislation, and put a check on a president who is more interested in appeasing Putin and enriching himself and his inner circle than defending American interests or our commitments to Ukraine. Congress has the power to act.” 

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