House Republican, invoking Reagan, moves to block Trump's Russia oil deal
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Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol last December. Photo: Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) vowed Saturday to force a House vote to block Russian oil purchases, challenging President Trump's diesel deal with President Vladimir Putin.
Why it matters: Trump has touted the deal as a way to lower fuel prices, but it could also provide revenue for Russia's war in Ukraine.
Driving the news: Fitzpatrick, co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, said he would introduce the "Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act" and force a vote through a discharge petition.
- "It will be forced to the Floor via discharge and it will pass overwhelmingly," Fitzpatrick wrote on X.
- Retiring Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) tells Axios he has "already agreed" to sign the petition.
Catch up quick: Trump said Friday Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel to U.S. and global markets, with more shipments to follow.
- Energy analysts are skeptical the additional diesel will meaningfully lower prices.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the deal "not fair and not honest," telling Axios it amounted to a gift to Putin.
- Trump called Saturday for Ukraine to replace Zelensky with a leader willing to reach a deal with Russia.
The White House has not yet responded to Axios' request for comment about Fitzpatrick's bill.
The big picture: Fitzpatrick is the latest Republican lawmaker to break with Trump in a high-profile way, as the party fights to keep control of Congress amid mounting disapproval of the president.
Zoom out: Fitzpatrick is turning to a tactic lawmakers have increasingly used to bypass Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.): a discharge petition, which requires 218 signatures to bring legislation up for a vote without House leadership's approval.
- Fitzpatrick and Bacon forced a House vote on Ukraine aid and Russia sanctions earlier this year; it passed the House but stalled in the Senate.
Reality check: Fitzpatrick has little time to pass the bill before this Congress ends in January.
- The House isn't scheduled to vote again until after the Nov. 3 midterm.
- Any legislation that passes the House would still need Senate approval and could face Trump's veto pen.
What they're saying: Another House Republican, speaking anonymously to offer their candid thoughts, tells Axios: "Being that Congress won't be in session for another four weeks, any prudent lawmaker would probably not make a commitment to this prematurely."
- One House Democrat tells Axios that they will personally sign the petition and that "most" of their colleagues probably would as well, but unanimous support from Democrats is not guaranteed.
- "Leadership may not want people to help him," the Democrat said, though they added that may change after the midterms.
Ben Geman contributed.
