1. United States
2. Ga.
3. Letter

I am writing as a constituent to express serious concern regarding recent statements and actions by the Trump administration related to the seizure and proposed control of Venezuela’s oil industry. The President has publicly indicated that the United States will control the profits of Venezuela’s oil sector and that this control may be exercised “indefinitely.” This raises profound constitutional and legal questions that I believe demand immediate congressional scrutiny. First, the Constitution is explicit in vesting the power of the purse in Congress. Article I, Section 9 states that “No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law.” Any executive claim to control, direct, or allocate foreign industrial revenues without congressional authorization appears to bypass this foundational separation of powers. Regardless of one’s views on Venezuela’s government, no President has unilateral authority to manage or dispose of economic assets or revenues in this manner. Second, the assertion of “indefinite” executive control over another nation’s primary industry raises serious questions under both U.S. law and international norms. Such a policy risks entangling the United States in open-ended foreign governance, without authorization from Congress, public debate, or defined legal limits. Historically, actions that amount to the effective administration of another nation’s economic infrastructure have been understood as acts of war or occupation, which fall squarely within Congress’s constitutional responsibilities. Finally, I am deeply concerned about precedent. If a President may seize or control a foreign industry and direct its profits without legislative approval, what prevents future administrations from doing the same elsewhere—or from applying similar logic to domestic industries under claims of national interest? I respectfully urge you to: Publicly clarify whether Congress has authorized any such action. Demand a formal legal justification from the administration for its claims of control and revenue authority. Reassert Congress’s constitutional role over appropriations, foreign engagements, and acts that may constitute war or long-term occupation. Our system of government depends on each branch defending its responsibilities, especially in moments of executive overreach. I ask you to take this matter seriously and act to uphold the Constitution you swore to support and defend.