Senator Blumenthal: Week in Review 10/23/2026-10/30/2026

Taking Action Against Tankers Carrying Illegal Russian Diesel

[Hartford, CT] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, wrote to two shipping companies demanding that they recall their tankers carrying Russian diesel intended for illegal delivery to American ports and “refrain from future transactions in Russian diesel in accordance with U.S. law.”

Blumenthal wrote to two companies which own tankers that, according to publicly available Automatic Identification System (AIS) data, have departed Russian ports carrying diesel with declared destinations in the United States:

• Eastern Mediterranean Maritime Limited (EASTMED) owns the Agioi Fanendes, which departed a Russian port carrying nearly 40,000 metric tons of diesel. As of October 24, the vessel had a declared destination of the Port of New York and New Jersey, with an expected arrival date of November 7.
• Vietnam National Industry & Energy Group (PetroVietnam) owns the PVT Azura, which departed St. Petersburg, Russia reportedly carrying nearly 109,000 barrels of diesel. As of October 26, the vessel has a declared destination of Norfolk, Virginia, with an expected arrival date of November 2.

“We recognize that the Treasury Department issued General License No. 135 which reports to authorize transactions for Russia’s diesel exports, but no such license can supersede clear, unambiguous law. Neither could any executive action unilaterally override statutory letter and intent,” Blumenthal wrote. “The Administration’s conflicting directives on Russian energy in the past weeks should not be used as an excuse to ignore legal prohibitions. The President may have given a license to facilitate this transaction, but only Congress can make it legally valid.”

The Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act was passed by Congress and signed into law in 2022 and prohibits the import of diesel produced by the Russian Federation.

In today’s letter, Blumenthal also sought information about whether these shipping companies had received any direction from the Treasury Department and what other entities are involved in the purchase and distribution of the illegal Russian diesel.

The text of Blumenthal’s letter to EASTMED is available here. The text of Blumenthal’s letter to PetroVietnam is available here.

Blumenthal further slammed tankers carrying illegal Russian diesel on Twitter/X, highlighting his letter demanding answers.

“I’m sending a sledgehammer message to shipping companies whose tankers are transporting illegal Russian diesel to our ports. Reverse course while there’s still time. If you deliver diesel you’ll be violating a very explicit statute passed in 2022 forbidding imports of Russian fuel. No President can unilaterally override a statute. Trump’s license will not absolve you of legal & moral accountability. You’re complicit— aiding & abetting sanctions evaders. For profit,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X.

“Anyone considering buying this “radioactive” Russian diesel should recognize the risks—serious reputation damage & severe legal liability. Congress is watching & a future Administration may not look away from such criminal profiteering, even if this one does,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X.

Combatting Exploitive & Addictive Sports Gambling & Prediction Market Tactics

Blumenthal joined Conard High School students for a roundtable discussion on the risks of sports betting among young people. As sports betting continues to expand rapidly across the United States, concerns are growing about its accessibility and impact on adolescents. According to a recent poll by the National Council on Problem Gambling, 1 in 3 young adults report betting on sports before they turn 21.

“Sports betting has exploded in frequency, in numbers, and dollar amounts. The appeals of the sports betting industry and prediction markets is to young people—that’s where the market is, that’s where the dollars are, that’s where the vulnerabilities exist. You are the targets. You are the product for the sports betting industry,” said Blumenthal at the roundtable. “The gambling industry has made a science of sports betting—they use algorithms and artificial intelligence to track people who are losing money and target them, literally within seconds of their last bet. Every punt, pass, play becomes a moment for gambling.”

Blumenthal leads several bills that would establish significant safeguards on the betting industry and protect consumers from harms including the Gaming Advertisement to Minors Enforcement Act (GAME), bipartisan legislation that would prohibit social media companies and other advertising websites from targeting minors with sports betting through online advertising.

Blumenthal highlighted his roundtable discussion and the need for safeguards against sports betting and prediction markets on Twitter/X.

“Sports betting & prediction markets have exploded—without safeguards to protect people from their addictive & exploitative tactics. Thank you Conard students for your immensely valuable insights in our conversation,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X.

Blumenthal further highlighted the dangers of prediction markets for young people on Twitter/X.

“Prediction markets appeal, addict, & endanger young lives—just like sports betting. It’s gambling. Calling out from the casino in your pocket. Pitching kids, problem bettors, all of us. It cries out for regulation, just like gambling,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X.

Honoring Connecticut’s History with Action

Blumenthal joined the State Historic Preservation Officer Jonathan Kinney for a walking tour of historic buildings that could be affected by the Trump Administration’s proposed changes to historic preservation rules.

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) has proposed changing regulations within the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) that would replace collaboration between federal agencies and local governments and communities with a perfunctory process that lacks any oversight or public comment. These proposed changes to NHPA could have dire consequences for historic preservation in Connecticut.

The walking tour began at Union Station, originally built in 1889 and rebuilt in 1914 after a fire. Union Station has been on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places since 1975, but if the proposed changes to NHPA are approved, the station could be impacted by the I-84 viaduct project. The tour also visited the William Cotter Federal Building, which could be demolished under the proposed regulations, and The First Company Governor's Footguard building, which could be at risk of demolition as changes are made to I-84.

“I am writing to the federal government, the head of the Office of Management and Budget, saying stop this desecration and abandonment of a 60-year-old law that protects valuable historic sites like Union Station, the Cotter Building, and others—1,500 sites across Connecticut,” said Blumenthal. “We who live in Connecticut ought to have a role. We ought to have power, and these new regulations would essentially say the federal government can tear down historic structures without consulting our experts or the public. It is an abomination to historic preservation, to our cultural values, and Connecticut’s great history, 400 years old. It also eliminates tribal involvement, which is so important to our culture and history.”

In a letter to Office of Management Budget Director Russ Vought, Blumenthal demands substantial changes to the regulations and urges the Trump Administration to work with SHPOs and historic preservation advocates nationwide on any changes that might be implemented.

Blumenthal highlighted his historic sites tour and his opposition to the Trump Administration’s proposed changes to historic preservation rules on Twitter/X.

“Trump is moving to decimate historic preservation rules that protect 1,500 sites in CT from destruction. I'm demanding he stop these new rules to preserve historic treasures,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X.

Blumenthal also visited The Amistad at Mystic Seaport. Discovering Amistad was recently awarded $97,250 in federal funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The funding is currently being used to upgrade exhibits at The Amistad, reduce geographic barriers to participation, and increase statewide access. Blumenthal toured the ship and learned more about how this federal funding is being used to improve the visitor experience and preserve a critical piece of Connecticut history.

Blumenthal highlighted his tour of The Amistad on Twitter/X.

“Discovering Amistad is providing awesome education programs about this iconic schooner & its historic role. It will expand & enhance them with a major near $100,000 federal grant we announced today,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X.

Demanding FDA Action on Estrogen Patch Shortage

Blumenthal wrote to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) demanding the agency take immediate steps to alleviate the shortage of estrogen patches, a form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), currently impacting women experiencing menopause across the U.S.

“I strongly urge the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to work with manufacturers to mitigate supply issues and restore reliable access to estrogen to protect patients. This includes adding estrogen patches to the FDA’s Drug Shortage Database, seeking alternative suppliers, and extending expiration dates for HRT drugs as appropriate,” Blumenthal wrote.

Estrogen patches are the preferred form of hormone replacement therapy for women experiencing menopausal symptoms impacting their quality of life. In the past two years, the use of HRT patches has more than doubled, but a persistent shortage has prevented many women from accessing the care they need.

In his letter, Blumenthal notes that the FDA said last month it was working with manufacturers to increase supply of the patches, but stopped short of declaring a shortage.

“American women battling menopause deserve access to comprehensive medical care and treatments or we risk eliminating years of progress in women’s health. I urge the FDA to take every possible step to address this shortage and work to prevent future disruptions,” Blumenthal wrote.

A full copy of Blumenthal’s letter is available here.

Blumenthal held a press conference in Hartford announcing his letter to the FDA and was joined by Women’s Health Connecticut President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Greenberg. Recently, Women’s Health Connecticut, a provider of gynecology care serving over 330,000 Connecticut women annually, reported a significant supply gap with only 10 percent of their patients with a prescription for an estrogen patch able to access their prescription in a timely manner.

Blumenthal Bulletin

Blumenthal mourned the loss of Dolores Huerta.

Blumenthal rang the alarm bell over VA Secretary Collins' failure to use key oversight bodies.

Blumenthal slammed Google for its push of A.I. products in classrooms.

Blumenthal stood strong with UAW workers at Triumph fighting for fair compensation, job security, and benefits.

Blumenthal visited with industry leaders at the SCSU Innovation HUB Emerging Technologies Forum.

Blumenthal joined Foundation of Hope in Stamford as it honored 14 community leaders.

Blumenthal visited the Ledge Light Health District in New London to announce a $675,000 grant to The Place for CommUNITY Wellbeing.

Blumenthal slammed ICE for slashing the tires of observers.

Blumenthal celebrated the Louis & Gladys Bond Preserve in Montville.

Blumenthal stood with workers at the Regional Water Authority in New Haven.

Blumenthal attended the Salvation Army’s annual gala in Danbury.

Blumenthal joined ARI at its annual dinner.

Blumenthal attended the Women's Business Development Council Women Rising Luncheon.

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