Brian Fitzpatrick plans to reject petition against Trump’s diesel deal with Russia

Driving the news: Fitzpatrick, co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, said he would introduce the “Ronald Reagan Peace Through Strength Act” and force a vote through a discharge petition.

• “It will be forced to the ground via a landfill and it will pass massively,” Fitzpatrick wrote on X.
• Outgoing Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) tells Axios he has “already agreed” to sign the petition.

Catch up quickly: Trump said Friday that Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel to the U.S. and global markets, with more deliveries to follow.

• Energy analysts doubt that adding diesel will significantly lower prices.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the deal “neither fair nor honest,” telling Axios that it amounted to a gift to Putin.
• Trump on Saturday called on Ukraine to replace Zelensky with a leader willing to reach a deal with Russia.

The White House has not yet responded to Axios’ request for comment on Fitzpatrick’s bill.

The big picture: Fitzpatrick is the latest Republican lawmaker to break with Trump in a high-profile manner, as the party fights to maintain control of Congress amid growing disapproval of the president.

Zoom out: Fitzpatrick is turning to a tactic that lawmakers have increasingly used to get around Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.): a discharge petition, which requires 218 signatures to bring the bill to a vote without approval from House leadership.

• Fitzpatrick and Bacon forced a House vote on Ukraine aid and Russian sanctions earlier this year; it passed the House but stalled in the Senate.

Reality check: Fitzpatrick has little time to pass the bill before Congress ends in January.

• The House is not expected to vote again until the November 3 midterms.
• Any legislation passed by the House would still require Senate approval and could be vetoed by Trump.

What they say: Another House Republican, speaking anonymously to offer his candid thoughts, told Axios: “Given that Congress won’t be in session for another four weeks, any prudent lawmaker would probably not commit to this prematurely.”

• A House Democrat tells Axios he will personally sign the petition and “most” of his colleagues probably would too, but unanimous Democratic support is not guaranteed.
• “Leaders may not want people to help,” the Democrat said, while adding that could change after the midterms.

Ben Geman contributed.