Ending Importation of Laundered Russian Oil Act

H.R. 7095 would close what is known as the 'refining loophole' in current U.S. sanctions against Russia. Although the United States banned direct imports of Russian oil after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Russian crude oil is still reaching American consumers through an indirect route. Russian oil is sold to refineries in third-party countries, which then legally refine it into gasoline and other petroleum products that are exported to the United States. If enacted, this bill would prohibit the importation of any petroleum products that were produced at refineries using Russian-origin crude oil, regardless of where the refining occurred.

Proponents argue the bill would reduce funding for Russia's war effort in Ukraine without imposing additional costs on American taxpayers or significantly affecting gas prices. The legislation would apply to all energy products classified under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule that were produced using Russian crude. The bill is currently under consideration by the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Rules, but has not yet been voted on by the full chamber.