U.S.-Russia diesel deal stirs controversy, Democratic lawmakers warn companies that importing diesel may violate laws

President Trump previously announced that the United States would purchase Russian diesel to drive down fuel prices, a move that sparked criticism from both Democrats and Republicans. Jamie Raskin, the top Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, said in a letter to oil industry leaders on the 26th that oil companies will be "held accountable" if they import Russian diesel based on the agreement reached between Trump and Russia.

According to Politico, the U.S. midterm election will be held on November 3. If the Democratic Party gains control of the House of Representatives in the election, Raskin is expected to serve as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. Raskin is the latest member of Congress to warn the oil industry not to import or process any Russian fuel subject to U.S. sanctions.

Raskin sent the letter to the heads of the American Petroleum Institute and the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers Association on the 26th, and also sent another copy to the head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "Any action to assist Russian President Vladimir Putin in promoting Russian diesel in the United States is a clear and serious violation of federal law," Raskin wrote in the letter. "Those who choose to take such actions do so at their own risk and will be held accountable to the fullest, whether under this administration or the next."

Raskin emphasized that anyone importing Russian diesel into the United States may face civil and criminal penalties for violating U.S. federal laws, including up to 20 years in prison.

A White House official said the agreement between the United States and Russia "complies with all applicable laws." White House spokesman Taylor Rogers also said, "Democrats have begun to send signals, proving once again that they have no agenda to improve the lives of the American people and will only continue their 10-year-long insistence on investigating Trump."