Venezuela Oil Proceeds Transparency Act
Senate Panel Eyes Audit of U.S.-Venezuela Oil Deal Under Venezuela Oil Proceeds Transparency Act
A bill to require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct an audit of a United States and Venezuela energy deal, and for other purposes.
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill requires a non-partisan government watchdog to investigate a new energy agreement between the United States and Venezuela. Under this deal, the U.S. sells Venezuelan oil and keeps the money in special accounts to be spent at the government's discretion.
- The audit would look at how the State Department, Treasury, and Energy Department are handling the money. It aims to make sure there is no fraud, waste, or secret conflicts of interest in how the oil is sold or how the profits are used.
- Currently, the U.S. government has the power to decide how to spend these oil profits for the benefit of both Americans and Venezuelans. This bill wants to ensure there is a clear, public record of where every dollar goes to guarantee the program is handled with integrity.
- If passed, the investigation must start within 30 days. The watchdog would then report back to Congress with recommendations on whether laws need to change to keep the money safe and ensure the public knows how the funds are being used.
Impact Analysis
Broader Impacts
Milestones
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S579)
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
2 articles
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright touts oil production on Venezuela visit
While Energy Secretary Chris Wright visited Caracas, Senate Democrats introduced the Venezuela Oil Proceeds Transparency Act. The bill seeks a nonpartisan audit of oil proceeds currently being held in U.S.-controlled offshore accounts in Qatar to ensure congressional oversight and transparency.

Vitrina: Petróleo bajo control, corrupción a la deriva
The article analyzes the lack of transparency in the new U.S.-Venezuela oil mechanism, noting that the 'Venezuela Oil Proceeds Transparency Act' (Schiff–Schumer) aims to fill the oversight gap regarding the secretive Qatari trust fund and the discretionary use of funds by the State Department.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
A bill to require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct an audit of a United States and Venezuela energy deal, and for other purposes.
Data Sources
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Cosponsors
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