Helsinki Commissioner Rep. Doggett Introduces Bipartisan Sanctions Package on Russian Energy

January 15, 2026

Washington, D.C.— An active member of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus and Helsinki Commission, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) introduced two bipartisan pieces of legislation to undercut the Russian war machine by strengthening the current ban on Russian petroleum products as well as prohibiting U.S. involvement in Russia’s energy sector.

The Ending Importation of Laundered Russian Oil Act would close the “refining loophole” that allows Russian oil to be laundered through third-party countries and sold in the United States as gasoline and other petroleum products, and the No Aid for Russian Energy Act would ban U.S. companies and individuals—and their foreign subsidiaries—from providing petroleum equipment, software, or services to Russia.

Ending Importation of Laundered Russian Oil Act:

"While more military assistance to Ukraine remains the most urgent priority, much more must be done to reduce funding for Putin’s ‘well-oiled’ war machine,” said Rep. Doggett. “Russia is selling millions of barrels of oil that are refined through foreign refineries and resold around the world. For too long, Americans have unknowingly been helping to fund both sides of this war. Though critical of refining in India, Trump has ignored the modest flow of laundered Russian oil still being imported to America, which represents enough income to buy thousands of deadly drones. The European Union is finally closing this “refining” loophole; we need to do the same.”

The bill is cosponsored by Don Bacon (R-NE), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Rich McCormick (R-GA), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Chris Smith (R-NJ), and Joe Wilson (R-SC).

No Aid for Russian Energy Act:

“As Putin continues to kill Ukrainians, Texas oilfield service companies have continued to help him fund the war by strengthening Russian energy production,” said Rep. Doggett. “This legislation would do what the Trump Administration should already have done—stop American companies from oiling the Putin war machine.”

Last year, Rep. Doggett led colleagues in bipartisan effort to demand a tightening of Russian oil sanctions and to question an exception granted to U.S. oilfield services companies to continue serving as accomplices to Vladimir Putin. The Biden Administration banned U.S. petroleum services from providing support to Russia in January 2025. However, U.S. oilfield services companies have continued to enable Russian oil despite U.S. sanctions through a vast network of foreign subsidiaries.

The bill is cosponsored by Don Bacon (R-NE), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Dan Goldman (D-NY), Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), and Mike Quigley (D-IL).

Quotes from Endorsing Organizations:

Endorsing organizations: Razom for Ukraine, Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), B4Ukraine, and Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) Action.

"New reports show U.S. companies, most notably Houston-based energy giant SLB, continue to enable Russia’s oil profits, which Moscow uses to finance its war against Ukraine. This ongoing engagement undermines sanctions and directly contradicts U.S. national interests. Washington must fully defund Russia’s oil sector by every available means. Deprived of American equipment and expertise, the sector would rapidly degrade. That is why B4Ukraine proudly supports this bill as a critical step toward cutting war funding and bringing a just peace closer.

A ban on imports of refined products from refineries running on Russian crude is also urgently needed. Between January 2024 and June 2025, the U.S. imported $3.6 bn of oil products from three refineries in India. Of this, an estimated $1.5 bn was processed using Russian crude. Because the volumes involved are marginal for the United States, experts agree this policy is unlikely to affect gas prices. What it will do is reduce demand for Russian oil and create clear incentives for refineries to move away from Russian crude if they wish to export to the U.S. market. Closing this loophole is therefore a common-sense step for the United States: it weakens Russia’s capacity to wage war while imposing no cost on American taxpayers." – Nezir Sinani, Executive Director, B4Ukraine

"Russia's ability to circumvent U.S. oil sanctions through refining loopholes and foreign subsidiaries represents a critical vulnerability in our efforts to pressure Putin's regime. These bills address fundamental weaknesses that allow billions of dollars to continue flowing to Moscow. By closing the refining loophole and prohibiting companies from enabling Russian oil production through any corporate structure, Congress can ensure that American sanctions achieve their intended purpose: cutting off the financial lifeline that sustains Russia's war in Ukraine. FDD Action is proud to endorse Rep. Doggett's legislation, which deserves strong bipartisan support." – Daniel Vaynshteyn, Associate Director for Government Relations, FDD Action

"Russia’s war machine runs on energy revenue. The Ending Importation of Laundered Russian Oil Act and the No Aid for Russian Energy Act close the ‘refining loophole’ and bar U.S. petroleum services—directly or through foreign subsidiaries—from helping fuel Putin’s aggression against Ukraine." - Diana Godlevskaya, Director of Government Affairs, Razom for Ukraine

“Russia’s energy exports finance its war machine; cutting that revenue is not punishment—it is prevention. The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) underscores that robust energy sanctions are essential not only to Ukraine’s survival and freedom, but also to advancing U.S. national security interests by weakening authoritarian aggression, strengthening global stability, and upholding the rules-based international order. The urgent need for decisive action is underscored by Russia’s latest terror on Ukraine’s cities and critical infrastructure, including the devastating overnight missile and drone strikes that killed civilians, disrupted power and heat in freezing winter conditions, and damaged vital infrastructure on January 9, 2026, making clear that unchecked energy revenue only fuels further Russian aggression, imperialist ambitions and the genocide of Ukrainians." - Michael Sawkiw, Jr., President, Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA)

Text of the Ending Importation of Laundered Russian Oil Act can be viewed here.

Text of the No Aid for Russian Energy Act can be viewed here.

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