Sen. Jeanne Shaheen joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers Tuesday in warning banks, port authorities and fuel distributors that facilitating imports of Russian diesel could expose companies to civil or criminal liability and congressional investigations.
The letters were sent to executives at JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, Wells Fargo Bank, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, as well as officials overseeing ports in Houston, Corpus Christi and Beaumont, Texas, and New York and New Jersey.
The lawmakers cited Section 2 of the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act of 2022, which generally bars imports of Russian-origin energy products, including diesel fuel. Under the law, an exception applies only if the president certifies to Congress that Russia has ended all military hostilities in Ukraine and poses no immediate threat to NATO members.
Letters cite reported shipments
The warnings followed reports that shipments of Russian diesel were headed toward U.S. ports after President Donald Trump earlier this month issued a waiver allowing Moscow to supply diesel to global markets, including the United States.
The lawmakers said companies that assist imports in violation of federal law could face legal consequences. They also directed the companies and port authorities to preserve records involving any proposed or completed importation of Russian-origin diesel.
- The letters went to six major financial institutions.
- Port authorities in Texas and the New York-New Jersey region also received warnings.
- The lawmakers requested preservation of records tied to Russian diesel shipments.
Shaheen, a Democrat, signed the letters with Democratic Sens. Ron Wyden of Oregon, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, Chris Coons of Delaware and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, along with Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina. Rep. Gregory Meeks, a Democrat who represents New York’s 5th Congressional District, also signed.
The lawmakers described Russian energy imports as a national security concern because revenue from the sales could support Russia’s continuing war against Ukraine. Their letters warned that companies involved in the transactions could be subject to scrutiny from Congress in addition to potential enforcement under federal law.
The letters also asked the financial institutions, port authorities and fuel distributors to retain relevant records. The requested preservation covers proposed or actual imports of Russian-origin diesel and is intended to maintain information about transactions that lawmakers said could involve the 2022 prohibition.
