Several Republican lawmakers and candidates from key battleground states have urged President Donald Trump to impose a temporary ban on U.S. diesel exports as a measure to curb rising fuel costs ahead of the midterm elections. The push comes amid a sharp increase in diesel prices, with the national average climbing to $6.53 per gallon—an almost 75 percent rise since February.
President Trump indicated last week that his administration was considering a diesel export ban, stating he had “called for it within my people.” However, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum have publicly opposed such a measure, warning that a blanket ban could disrupt refinery operations and potentially drive prices higher rather than lower.
Diesel fuel plays a vital role in the U.S. economy, powering farm and factory machinery, freight transportation, and heating systems in many homes. Experts caution that restricting exports might lead refiners to reduce diesel output, negating intended price relief for consumers.
Among the Republicans advocating for an export restriction is Representative Tim Burchett of Tennessee, who introduced two bills on September 15 proposing either an outright ban on diesel exports through January 2027 or a conditional ban activated when diesel prices exceed $5 per gallon. Burchett criticized oil companies for what he described as price gouging and called on Congress and the President to take decisive action.
Representative Clay Fuller of Georgia is cosponsoring Burchett’s legislation. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry also supports a 90-day ban, emphasizing the need to lower fuel costs to benefit the entire U.S. economy. However, his state’s Republican senators, Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy, oppose the ban. Senator Kennedy stated that available information suggests the measure would be ineffective.
Iowa lawmakers have been particularly vocal. Senator Chuck Grassley, the chamber’s longest-serving Republican, cited historical export restrictions on agricultural goods to support his call for halting diesel exports. Representatives Ashley Hinson, Zach Nunn, and Mariannette Miller-Meeks, all facing competitive races, have echoed these concerns. Hinson and Miller-Meeks have additionally linked diesel prices to costs associated with the ongoing conflict in Iran. Former Representative Mike Rogers, Michigan’s Senate nominee, has similarly connected fuel costs to war-related disruptions and advocated for both an embargo and an immediate end to the conflict.
Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska, who faces a tough reelection bid, also advocates a temporary ban on diesel exports until the Iran conflict is resolved and oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz resume normal flow. Sullivan emphasized that although U.S. diesel production is high, consumers continue to face record prices at the pump.
The debate over a diesel export ban reflects broader concerns among Republican candidates about the economic impact of elevated fuel costs on voters. However, senior administration officials and some lawmakers remain skeptical about the policy’s effectiveness, highlighting the complexities of the U.S. energy market amid international tensions.