Senate Democrats intend to probe the Trump administration’s deal to ease sanctions on Russian diesel, in a preview of how the party could use its oversight power if it wins control of Congress in the midterm elections, a Senate Democratic aide said.
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The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has asked companies involved in the deal to preserve documents ahead of a possible investigation by the panel, said the aide, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss Democrats’ sensitive plans.
“They should have liability concerns as well as investigative concerns,” the aide said of the companies.
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump agreed to waive sanctions on Russian fuel through April and said that Moscow would immediately release 300,000 tons of diesel into the market, followed by larger quantities later on.
The surprise move came weeks ahead of the November midterm elections. Rising gas prices have contributed to voters’ broad dissatisfaction with how Republicans have addressed cost-of-living issues and the war in Iran, which has disrupted energy markets throughout the year.
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Experts on the global fuel market have doubted that the deal will substantially lower prices, given the worldwide diesel shortage far outpaces the quantity Russia will supply.
Republicans and Democrats have also objected to the deal and Trump’s wider effort to court Russian President Vladimir Putin, including waiving other sanctions on Russian energy that lawmakers overwhelmingly passed last month.
Congress passed the sanctions on Russian diesel in 2022, following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The president is only able to waive the ban after reaching a peace agreement in Ukraine and notifying lawmakers.
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