1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to support the No Occupation of Venezuela (NOVA) Act of 2026, introduced by Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi and Joaquin Castro. This legislation would prohibit the use of taxpayer funds to control Venezuela or exploit its oil reserves. The Trump administration's military campaign against Venezuela has already cost US taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. The ongoing naval blockade against Venezuelan oil tankers has cost an estimated $700 million, while military deployments to the Caribbean have cost upwards of $600 million. These expenses continue to mount as President Trump has indicated this operation could last years. The administration recently released a Department of Energy document outlining plans to exploit Venezuela's oil with help from American fossil fuel corporations. The document states the US government "has begun marketing Venezuelan crude oil in the global marketplace for the benefit of the United States, Venezuela, and our allies," with proceeds settling in US-controlled accounts. President Trump stated in a New York Times interview Wednesday that "we're going to be taking oil" and plans to "rebuild it in a very profitable way." Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the administration is "about to execute on a deal to take all the oil." The NOVA Act would bar federal funds from supporting US possession, supervision, jurisdiction, or control over Venezuelan territory or resources. It would prevent taxpayer dollars from subsidizing oil company expansion in Venezuela and halt any White House effort to shift from military action to civilian governance without explicit congressional authorization. At a time when families are struggling with the costs of groceries, housing, and healthcare, American taxpayers should not be forced to bankroll an overseas occupation or subsidize oil companies at presidential direction. No president should spend Americans' money on foreign occupations or oil deals without congressional consent. I urge you to cosponsor and vote for the NOVA Act to ensure taxpayer funds are not used for this occupation.