Joe Siracusa, Dean of the Global Future Institute and Professor of Political Science at Curtin University, believes that even if the Democrats win the midterm elections, they are unlikely to block or significantly restrict Russian diesel imports through investigations or pressure on businesses. He predicts, "At best, they can create a public relations storm, hold hearings, and try to intimidate corporate executives, but this is just political posturing, not actual policy." He points out that the House's oversight and investigative powers cannot overturn President Trump's executive orders. Siracusa also believes that the Democrats are unwilling to risk pushing up agricultural costs for "even a symbolic political blow to the Russia deal," as this could lead to the Democrats losing support from rural voters in swing states before the 2028 election. Siracusa adds that the high price of U.S. diesel, currently at $6.28 per gallon, is due to the Iran war and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and Russian diesel supplies are unlikely to alleviate this burden. He explains, "This is obvious to farmers who typically support Trump's 'Make America Great Again' (MAGA) campaign. Frankly, this isn't an energy strategy, but a public relations gesture, and those who work the land like tractors will be the first to see through it."
