Representatives August Pfluger, Craig Goldman, Julie Fedorchak, Randy Weber, Pat Fallon, and Dan Crenshaw sent a letter on Mar. 11 to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urging strict oversight of any sale of Lukoil’s international assets to ensure they do not return to Russian control or fall into the hands of other U.S. adversaries.
The lawmakers said this action is important for national security and global energy stability as Russia’s oil and gas reserves have declined following recent sanctions. They emphasized that American energy leadership is essential in maintaining a stable supply and protecting U.S. interests amid increased instability in the Middle East.
In their letter, the representatives praised Secretary Bessent’s efforts: “Your leadership in imposing and enforcing new sanctions on major Russian energy companies, including Lukoil, has demonstrated our resolve to disrupt Russia’s war machine and bring an end to its longstanding and widespread aggression.” They continued, “American energy dominance is critical to our national security, and as the events of the last several days in Iran and the broader Middle East region have highlighted, our ability to promote peace through strength is enabled by our role in facilitating the stable and secure supply of energy to world markets. In this increasingly complex geopolitical era, we believe America’s energy companies, and not those of our adversaries, should continue leading the way.”
The lawmakers concluded by encouraging careful review of any proposals for selling Lukoil’s assets: “We appreciate all that President Trump and members of his administration are doing to promote energy security and peace around the world. Pursuant to your Department’s own guidance, we encourage the Department of the Treasury – in concert with the White House and Departments of Energy, State, and War – to scrutinize every detail of the various proposals to ensure that any sale of LIG’s assets ‘completely severs’ ties with the Russian parent company, paving the way for American energy companies to meet this moment with the urgency and precision it so deserves.”
August Pfluger has served in Congress representing Texas’s 11th District since 2021 according to Ballotpedia. He won his seat after defeating Jon Mark Hogg in 2020 with nearly 80 percent of votes as reported by The New York Times. Pfluger was born in Houston in 1978 and currently lives in San Angelo according to his official biography.
GOP Senators Tim Sheehy, Steve Daines, and John Barrasso also sent a similar letter last month regarding oversight on Russian asset sales.