Representatives Don Bacon and Gregory W. Meeks sent a bipartisan letter on Mar. 24 to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, seeking answers about the Trump administration’s decision to ease sanctions on Russian oil.
The lawmakers said the move could harm U.S. national security by allowing Russia to gain more revenue that could support its war in Ukraine. They pointed out that previous sanctions had limited Russia’s ability to finance what they called an illegal war against Ukraine.
In their letter, Bacon and Meeks wrote, “…The United States’ existing sanctions targeting Russia’s energy exports have helped curtail the Kremlin’s ability to finance its illegal war of choice against Ukraine. Easing sanctions on Russia at this critical juncture, instead of increasing pressure, risks fueling Russia’s aggression and undermining progress we have made to reduce Russia’s global energy leverage…”
They also noted that new licenses issued for Russian oil came just as Ukraine had achieved significant territorial gains in its fight against occupying Russian forces. The letter stated these licenses provided “Russia with an infusion of cash just when it needs it most to reverse Ukrainian progress,” allowing Moscow to take advantage of higher global energy prices.
Bacon and Meeks further raised concerns about growing cooperation between Russia and Iran. They cited a Wall Street Journal report from March 17 which described how “Russian-Iranian cooperation continues to increase – with Russia providing modifications to Shahed drones developed from their own experiences using them against Ukraine and sharing satellite imagery.” The lawmakers warned this collaboration helps prolong a conflict that benefits Russia both militarily and economically.
Bacon has represented Nebraska’s 2nd District in Congress since 2017 after replacing Brad Ashford, according to Wikipedia. He was born in Momence, Illinois in 1963, is currently 59 years old, lives in Papillion, graduated from Northern Illinois University with a BA in 1984, and later attended the University of Phoenix.
The issue raises questions about how changes in U.S. policy toward Russian energy exports may affect ongoing conflicts abroad.
