In a Nov. 2 letter, ‌Sherill said Congress banned Russian energy imports under the "Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act" in 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Importing Russian diesel ​violates that law and could expose businesses and ​individuals using New Jersey ports to "harsh" civil and criminal ⁠penalties, she added.

The letter follows President Donald Trump's decision ​to grant Russia a license to supply more than 300,000 ​metric tons, or about 2.25 million barrels, of diesel to U.S. and global markets amid tight global diesel inventories and near-record U.S. prices ahead of the ​Nov. 3 midterm election.

Since the license was granted, Russia has ​dispatched multiple diesel tankers to the United States, including at least one ‌that ⁠may be headed for the New Jersey coast, Sherill said.

Sherill said the Russian Oil Act does not allow blanket sanctions waivers unless Russia withdraws its forces from Ukraine, which has ​not occurred. "New ​Jersey will not ⁠stand by while Donald Trump supports Vladimir Putin at the expense of Americans," Sherill said ​on X.

"Instead of lowering costs, these imports ​help finance ⁠Putin’s war against Ukraine and a campaign of violence and terror that endangers our U.S. service members abroad."

According to GasBuddy, ⁠diesel ​prices on Tuesday's midterm election day ​reached a record high $6.28 per gallon, the highest ever for any election day.