U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Richard Blumenthal, Sheldon Whitehouse, Chris Coons, Jacky Rosen and Mark Kelly called on Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on April 10 to allow the Trump Administration’s waiver of certain sanctions on Russian oil to expire as scheduled. The senators said that current policies are providing Russia with significant extra revenue from oil sales while it continues its military actions in Ukraine.
The issue is important because higher fuel prices and ongoing sanctions relief have reportedly resulted in Russia receiving an additional $150 million per day in budget revenues from oil sales. The senators said this stream of revenue could help sustain Russia's military operations and prolong the conflict in Ukraine.
“This policy, however temporary or limited in scope, risks providing the Russian Federation with a continued stream of revenue at a time when it is actively prosecuting its war against Ukraine and continues to target Americans. Every barrel sold under the cover of this license is a resource that can be directed toward sustaining Russia’s military operations, replenishing its capabilities, and prolonging a conflict that has already imposed immense human and economic costs,” Shaheen and her colleagues wrote.
They also said: “Continuing to ease sanctions on Russia as it provides Iran with valuable intelligence to target our troops and assets, putting them at lethal risk, is unacceptable.”
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee plays a key role in shaping U.S. foreign policy by examining treaties and legislation according to the official website. The committee was established in 1816 as one of the original standing committees of the Senate according to its official history. It designates its Chairman for majority members and Ranking Member for minority members as detailed on its official website.
Historically, the committee has influenced major foreign policy decisions such as supporting measures like the Truman Doctrine in 1947 and Marshall Plan in 1948 according to its official history, as well as rejecting the Treaty of Versailles after World War I as noted by the committee.
In their letter regarding Russian oil sanctions relief expiring soon, Shaheen and other senators concluded: “We urge the Department to allow this license to expire and to reaffirm a clear, consistent commitment to holding Russia accountable.”
