# Bessent says congressional critics of diesel deal are wrong

Date: 2026

On 11 October 2026, after seven senators from both parties urged the administration to reverse the Russian diesel authorisation, [Scott Bessent](/people/scott-bessent) said on Fox that any member of Congress claiming the 2022 import ban or the new [Lindsey Graham](/people/lindsey-graham) sanctions law forbids the deal is wrong. He said Treasury would carry out the agreement using its existing legal powers.

## Sources

- https://crossgov.com/seven-senators-say-trumps-russian-diesel-licence-breaks-the-2022-import-ban-and-bessent-says-theyre-wrong/
- https://www.newsweek.com/trump-russia-diesel-deal-lindsey-graham-sanctions-law-12574804

## Methodology

https://factrail.ai/methodology

Canonical: https://factrail.ai/facts/bessent-says-congress-critics-wrong-diesel-2026-10-11