Brief
Michigan GOP Senate hopeful Mike Rogers breaks with Trump over Russia sanctions
Rogers, a longtime Trump ally, expressed skepticism that the president's diesel‑price relief will work.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Republican Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers said Sunday he would have voted for the bipartisan sanctions bill targeting Russia, even as President Donald Trump announced a waiver of those sanctions. Rogers made the comments during a CNN State of the Union interview with Dana Bash.
Rogers argued that the administration’s decision to pause sanctions under the Graham Act – a bipartisan measure that authorizes up to 100% tariffs on major importers of Russian petroleum – would not necessarily lower diesel prices for Michigan residents. He said, "I would have voted for the sanctions bill on Russia," and added that he is "a little skeptical that this will work in the way that the administration wants it to work." He also noted, "If the president has a better idea to get diesel prices down, I’d be for it, but we are paying a pretty heavy price here in Michigan."
President Trump announced the waiver on Friday, stating that it was in the "national interests of the United States" and that it would remain in effect until the president or senior officials decide otherwise. The waiver suspends the Graham Act’s restrictions, duties and tariffs on Russian oil and gas imports. Trump’s order cited the need to reduce fuel costs, a claim echoed by some Republican lawmakers but challenged by others.
Other members of the GOP, including retiring senators, have publicly criticized the waiver, calling it "beyond irresponsible" and warning that it could benefit Vladimir Putin. Analysts have questioned whether importing over 300,000 tonnes of Russian diesel – roughly 12 hours of global diesel consumption – will meaningfully affect U.S. pump prices.
Rogers, who previously aligned closely with Trump, emphasized that his primary concern is lowering diesel costs for Michigan drivers. He said, "We have got to get these prices down, which is why I called the president on this," and expressed willingness to support any alternative plan that proves effective.
Key facts
- Mike Rogers said he would have voted for the bipartisan Russia sanctions bill. (nypost.com)
- President Trump issued a waiver suspending the Graham Act sanctions on Russian oil and gas. (nypost.com)
- Rogers expressed skepticism that the waiver will lower diesel prices in Michigan. (nypost.com)
- The waiver was justified by the White House as being in the national interest. (nypost.com)
- The Graham Act authorizes up to 100% tariffs on major importers of Russian petroleum. (nypost.com)
Sources
- [1] nypost.com — originally reported as “GOP Senate candidate Mike Rogers breaks with Trump over Russia sanctions — as retiring lawmakers lash president”
