Press Release: 1/23/2026

Markey Joins Schiff, Senate Democrats in Demanding Senior White House Officials Disclose Financial Stakes in Venezuela Oil Profiteering

 

Senators’ inquiry comes as administration convenes oil companies to discuss oil extraction, and as first sale of U.S.-controlled Venezuelan oil goes to company with a history of millions in political donations to Trump campaign

Washington (January 22, 2026) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today joined Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and 12 Senate Democrats in calling on the White House to disclose the financial stake that senior administration officials have in companies that stand to profit from the extraction and sale of Venezuelan oil under United States control.

The senators specifically demand immediate transparency on the financial ties officials have to oil companies with whom the White House has communicated in the aftermath of Donald Trump’s announcement that the United States would take over sales of Venezuela’s oil, including businesses that have a history in Venezuela or could see new revenue from the seizure of Venezuela’s oil assets.

“Given the urgency of the matter and the enormous risk of profiteering and corruption, the Administration has a heightened obligation, beyond existing financial disclosure requirements, to clarify for Congress and the American public whether and to what extent the financial ties described above exist,” the senators wrote.

The senators also seek information about officials’ ties to companies with a history of political support of Donald Trump’s campaign, inauguration, and vanity projects like his ballroom.

The expanded purview comes as the first sale of U.S.-controlled oil goes to Vitol, a company with a history of more than $6 million in political donations to committees supporting Donald Trump. The administration has been working with both Vitol and Trafigura to facilitate Venezuelan oil sales, even though both foreign companies have troubling histories of criminal and civil penalties, bribery, market manipulation, and corruption, including violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

The letter was signed by Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai’i), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Jeffrey Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Pete Welch (D-Vt.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

The full text of the letter sent to the White House can be found here and below.