US lawmakers warn ports and banks of legal action and investigation over Russian diesel imports

Six Democratic lawmakers and Republican Senator Thom Tillis have written to the ports of Houston, Beaumont, Corpus Christi and New York/New Jersey and to six large Wall Street banks, warning that handling Russian diesel could bring legal action and congressional investigation, The Maritime Executive reports. The signatories include Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Chris Coons, Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden and Sheldon Whitehouse and Representative Gregory Meeks. They asked recipients to preserve records of any Russian diesel dealings and cited the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act of 2022. Separately, Representative Jamie Raskin told oil-industry and business groups that importers could face civil and criminal penalties, including up to 20 years in prison. The US Treasury says the import arrangements are legal, according to the publication.

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