Review the Handling of Hundreds of Millions in Venezuelan Oil Proceeds

As your constituent, I urge your support for the Venezuela Oil Proceeds Transparency Act, S. 3838 and H.R. 7819. The bill would require an independent audit of a controversial energy arrangement the Trump Administration has made with Venezuela. That arrangement reportedly sent hundreds of millions through an offshore bank account without meaningful public transparency or completed congressional review. THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ROUTED VENEZUELAN OIL REVENUE THROUGH A QATAR BANK ACCOUNT On January 6, 2026, President Trump announced an energy agreement under which the United States would market and sell Venezuelan oil and deposit proceeds into U.S.-controlled foreign bank accounts. According to congressional supporters, the first sale generated about $500 million, routed through a bank account in Qatar. Members of Congress have said the Administration has not provided enough information to permit meaningful oversight of how those funds are controlled, spent, or safeguarded. CONGRESS STILL DOES NOT KNOW WHO CONTROLS HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS IN VENEZUELAN OIL REVENUE Congress should not have to guess who controls the account, what legal authority governs it, whether private parties benefit, or whether the proceeds are being used consistently with U.S. law and foreign policy. When public power is used to sell a foreign country’s oil and move proceeds offshore, secrecy is not acceptable. TWO COMPANIES CHOSEN TO TRADE VENEZUELAN OIL HAVE PREVIOUSLY FACED BRIBERY INVESTIGATIONS Two companies awarded licenses to trade Venezuelan crude - Vitol and Trafigura - have both been previously implicated in Justice Department bribery investigations. That history does not prove wrongdoing, but it makes independent review more important. Congress deserves a full accounting of license terms, approvals, safeguards, and beneficiaries. THE VENEZUELA OIL PROCEEDS TRANSPARENCY ACT WOULD REQUIRE AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT The Venezuela Oil Proceeds Transparency Act was introduced in the Senate by Senators Adam Schiff and Chuck Schumer and in the House by Representatives Sean Casten and Joaquin Castro. It would direct the Government Accountability Office (GAO), a nonpartisan watchdog agency, to audit the Departments of State, Energy, and Treasury, as well as contractors or other entities involved. This is not a partisan request. Congress has Article I oversight responsibilities regarding public funds, foreign affairs, licensing decisions, and potential conflicts of interest. A GAO review would help ensure transparency, deter abuse, protect public interests, and strengthen accountability regardless of which party controls the White House. PLEASE TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS (1) CO-SPONSOR THE BILL. Co-sponsor the Venezuela Oil Proceeds Transparency Act. (2) REQUEST FULL DISCLOSURE. Publicly call on the Administration to provide Congress with full disclosure of the Venezuela energy deal terms, offshore account arrangements, license recipients, and safeguards governing the proceeds. Thank you.