House Republican, invoking Reagan, moves to block Trump's Russia oil deal

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) vowed Saturday to force a House vote to block Russian oil purchases, challenging President Trump's diesel deal with President Vladimir Putin.Why it matters: Trump has touted the deal as a way to lower fuel prices, but it could also provide revenue for Russia's war in Ukraine.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 Floor via discharge and it will pass overwhelmingly," Fitzpatrick wrote on X.Retiring Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) tells Axios he has "already agreed" to sign the petition.Catch up quick: Trump said Friday Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel to U.S. and global markets, with more shipments to follow.Energy analysts are skeptical the additional diesel will meaningfully lower prices.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the deal "not fair and not honest," telling Axios it amounted to a gift to Putin.Trump called Saturday for 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 about Fitzpatrick's bill.Zoom out: Fitzpatrick is turning to a tactic lawmakers have increasingly used to bypass Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.): a discharge petition, which requires 218 signatures to bring legislation up for a vote without House leadership's approval.Fitzpatrick and Bacon forced a House vote on Ukraine aid and Russia sanctions earlier this year; it passed the House but stalled in the Senate.Reality check: Fitzpatrick has little time to pass the bill before this Congress ends in January.The House isn't scheduled to vote again until after the Nov. 3 midterm.Any legislation that passes the House would still need Senate approval and could face Trump's veto pen.What they're saying: Another House Republican, speaking anonymously to offer their candid thoughts, tells Axios: "Being that Congress won't be in session for another four weeks, any prudent lawmaker would probably not make a commitment to this prematurely."One House Democrat tells Axios that they will personally sign the petition and that "most" of their colleagues probably would as well, but unanimous support from Democrats is not guaranteed."Leadership may not want people to help him," the Democrat said, though they added that may change after the midterms.Ben Geman contributed.