Fitzpatrick Introduces Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act to Block Russian Oil Imports and Defend Ukraine

Bipartisan legislation would nullify Treasury's Russian oil waiver, reinforce federal law, and safeguard critical intelligence support for Ukraine

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus and Chair of the House Intelligence Committee's CIA Subcommittee, introduced the Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act of 2026, alongside Representatives Don Bacon (NE-2) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-3), to uphold the federal prohibition on Russian energy imports and protect critical U.S. intelligence support for Ukraine.

The legislation follows the Treasury Department's October 9^th issuance of General License 135, authorizing transactions involving Russian diesel fuel, including imports into the United States, despite a bipartisan federal law enacted in 2022 prohibiting Russian energy imports. The decision threatens to undermine congressional efforts to cut off the revenue streams sustaining Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine.

"Russia chose this war. Ukraine did not. The United States must leave no doubt about where it stands. We must not import a single drop of Russian oil. Congress made that decision with overwhelming bipartisan support in 2022, and that law remains in force. It is not a suggestion, nor should its intent be undermined through administrative waivers. We cannot demand accountability from Putin while opening American markets to the Russian energy that helps finance his war. Every exception sends Moscow the wrong message: that American resolve can be outlasted," said Fitzpatrick. "President Reagan understood that strength is not the obstacle to peace. It is what makes a just peace possible. Our responsibility is to stand firmly behind Ukraine's sovereignty and ensure America's commitments are reflected in America's actions. Peace becomes possible when aggression carries a cost greater than its reward. On that, there can be no ambiguity."

"For years, President Trump criticized Europe for buying Russian energy and propping up Putin's war economy. Further, Congress overwhelmingly voted to impose tough sanctions on Russia. Now, Trump wants to make it easier for Putin to sell diesel fuel. He is wrong," said Bacon. "Americans overwhelmingly support Ukraine and oppose Putin's aggression and war crimes. The Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Against Russia Act nullifies the Russian diesel waiver, prohibits Treasury spending that violates the 2022 Russian oil import ban and provides intelligence support to Ukraine." Congress must step up and force the President to support freedom and oppose the war criminal. America must stand with the Free World."

"The President's dirty deal to import Russian oil is running roughshod over our national interests and the bipartisan will of Congress and a bipartisan 2022 law explicitly banning the import of Russian oil. We won't turn a blind eye to that," said Gluesenkamp Perez. "This bill will rein in this reckless deal and make clear that my community doesn't want any part of funding Putin's fascist war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks terrorizing families in the Donbas. If the President is serious about bringing down gas prices, he should end the war in Iran, not send our tax dollars to Putin."

"The Administration's decision to import Russian diesel is illegal, and Congress must move decisively to ensure the law is followed," Daniel Balson, Director of Advocacy and Razom for Ukraine said. "Razom for Ukraine endorses Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick's Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act and applauds the bipartisan effort to block the unlawful and immoral importation of Russian diesel. Only by projecting strength can we force Russia to come to the negotiating table. Weakness and deference will only prolong Putin's war."

The Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act would:

• Nullify the Treasury Department's Russian oil waiver, immediately rendering General License 135 ineffective and prohibiting future waivers or general licenses authorizing the importation of Russian energy products.
• Strengthen enforcement of the existing import ban by prohibiting Treasury from expending funds on agreements that violate the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act of 2022.
• Reinforce critical intelligence support for Ukraine, requiring relevant intelligence agencies to provide support for Ukraine's defense and notify congressional intelligence committees within 24 hours of any interruption.

Read the full text here.

Background

As Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus and Chair of the House Intelligence Committee's CIA Subcommittee, Fitzpatrick has been at the forefront of bipartisan efforts to confront Russian aggression, strengthen Ukraine's defenses, and advance an American strategy rooted in peace through strength. His leadership has been informed by firsthand visits to Ukraine, including areas near the front lines, working closely with President Zelenskyy, Ukrainian military leaders, servicemembers, and civilians defending their nation against Russia's brutal and unprovoked invasion.

In Congress, Fitzpatrick has helped lead efforts to provide Ukraine with critical security assistance, expand sanctions against Russia, and hold the Kremlin accountable for its atrocities. His work includes helping advance the Ukraine Support Act through the House, championing the Peace Through Strength Against Russia Act, introducing the Countering Russia's War on Faith Act to address the persecution of religious communities, and leading bipartisan legislation demanding the return of abducted Ukrainian children. Most recently, he helped lead the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 through Congress and into law, establishing sweeping measures targeting the financial institutions, energy revenues, and sanctions-evasion networks sustaining Putin's war.

The Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act builds on that record by reinforcing the existing prohibition on Russian energy imports, closing the door to administrative waivers, and protecting the intelligence support essential to Ukraine's defense. Together, these efforts reflect Fitzpatrick's longstanding commitment to a clear American objective: equip Ukraine to defend its freedom, deny Putin the resources to sustain his aggression, and secure a just and lasting peace that preserves Ukraine's sovereignty and independence.

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