1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

Please support the legislation introduced by Rep. Mike Levin and Sen. Jeff Merkley that would prevent U.S. taxpayer dollars from subsidizing oil companies operating in Venezuela. This proposal represents a fundamental misuse of public funds at a time when Americans are struggling with rising prices and urgent domestic needs. Secretary of State Rubio initially claimed this Venezuela oil plan would not cost taxpayers anything, yet experts estimate that rebuilding Venezuelan oil infrastructure could require $115 billion. The Trump administration has suggested using taxpayer money to reimburse oil companies for their investments in this venture. This contradiction reveals the true cost of what amounts to a corporate giveaway disguised as foreign policy. Every dollar we spend subsidizing fossil fuel expansion abroad is a dollar we cannot invest in healthcare, education, US infrastructure, or the clean energy that would actually benefit American families and create domestic jobs. While my neighbors face rising costs for basic necessities, it is unconscionable to ask us to bankroll oil company profits in a foreign country. This is not what our tax dollars should fund. Beyond the fiscal irresponsibility, this plan locks us further into fossil fuel dependence when we should be accelerating the transition to renewable energy. I strongly urge you to cosponsor and vote for the Levin-Merkley legislation. American taxpayers should not be forced to reimburse Big Oil for risky foreign ventures.