U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin sent letters to major American oil industry associations on October 26 warning that companies involved in importing Russian diesel fuel could face civil and criminal liability. The Democratic lawmaker argues that licenses issued by President Donald Trump's administration cannot override restrictions enacted in federal law.
The recipients were the American Petroleum Institute, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers. In a published letter and statement from House Judiciary Committee Democrats, Raskin cited the ban on Russian energy imports passed by Congress in 2022.
Raskin contends that a Treasury Department sanctions license allowing certain transactions does not, by itself, meet the statutory requirements for lifting the import ban. He warned of possible fines and criminal penalties — citing maximum penalties of $1 million and 20 years in prison — where the elements of a relevant offense are established.
The lawmaker's warning is not a court ruling, the opening of a criminal case against a particular company or proof that any specific shipment is illegal. Whether sanctions and import bans apply to individual transactions depends on the applicable rules, the nature of the transaction and the findings of competent authorities.
Other Democratic members of Congress had previously asked banks and port authorities to preserve documents about possible Russian diesel shipments. Raskin's new letter targets industry associations and focuses on potential legal risks for market participants, rather than solely on preserving records.