Fitzpatrick proposes new law to end Russian diesel imports and secure Ukraine satellite links

Representative Brian Fitzpatrick introduced a new bill on Friday to cancel a recent waiver allowing Russian diesel imports into the United States. The Pennsylvania Republican co-sponsored the measure with Republican Don Bacon of Nebraska and Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington. The legislation, named the Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act of 2026, seeks to reverse a Treasury Department decision made in early October.

The bill would void a waiver issued on October 9 that authorized transactions involving Russian fuel. It also bars any future waivers for Russian energy imports. The current authorization is scheduled to expire on April 7, 2027. Fitzpatrick stated that the US must not import a single drop of Russian oil. He argued that the waiver undercuts a 2022 federal ban on Russian oil imports.

President Donald Trump defended the arrangement as a strategy to expand global diesel supplies and lower prices. Following talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump said Russia would immediately provide more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel to US and global markets. He noted that additional shipments would follow. Diesel prices have risen sharply due to energy supply disruptions linked to the war in Iran. Bacon told RFE/RL that Congress must check the president's policy toward Putin. Gluesenkamp Perez suggested Trump focus on ending the war in Iran to lower gasoline prices.

The legislation also addresses satellite communications for Ukraine. It requires intelligence agencies to support Ukrainian defense and notify congressional intelligence committees within 24 hours of any service interruption. Eight lawmakers from both parties, including Representatives Marcy Kaptur, Fitzpatrick, and Mike Quigley, and Senators Mark Kelly, Thom Tillis, and Elissa Slotkin, urged Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to expand the Pentagon's Starshield contract. They requested guaranteed uninterrupted service and restored speeds for military operations.

Ukrainian officials reported that restrictions imposed on October 13 disrupted communications for drones moving faster than 100 miles per hour. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the limits remained in place despite claims by Trump that service had been restored after contact with Elon Musk. A Ukrainian official said SpaceX had not explained the earlier limits to Kyiv. The official noted that no one has explained what happened or what will happen next. Reports indicate the restrictions affected the guidance of defensive drones.

Several Democrats are seeking answers regarding the satellite disruptions. Representative Gregory Meeks and Senator Peter Welch questioned Musk's claim that the military and the president decided on the restrictions. Senator Richard Blumenthal demanded written answers from Musk by November 5 and a SpaceX briefing by November 12. Representatives Sam Liccardo, Ro Khanna, and Jimmy Panetta asked White House chief of staff Susie Wiles for a government-wide investigation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied that Trump or other officials ordered or knew of the restrictions. Tillis wrote on X that whoever is making Ukraine more vulnerable should put their name on it.

The bill has been sent to three House committees for review. The sponsors aim to ensure that service decisions are not left solely to the discretion of a private provider. They cited the Defense Production Act as a potential tool to secure these guarantees.