Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
Protecting Taxpayers from Risky Investments in Venezuela Act
A Democratic bill with 5 Democratic cosponsors · See all 6 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Protecting Taxpayers from Risky Investments in Venezuela Act," aims to stop the United States Government from funding Venezuela's oil and petroleum infrastructure. It prohibits the use of federal funds or accounts controlled by the United States to finance, subsidize, or support the development, maintenance, or expansion of Venezuela's petroleum sector. This includes restrictions on construction, property purchases, insurance costs, and payments to corporations or individuals. The law also bars U.S. government officials from advocating for Venezuela's oil sector in international forums. An exception is made for expenditures explicitly authorized by a future Act of Congress. Finally, the Secretary of State must submit an annual report to specific congressional committees to ensure compliance.
Yes
- Scored +2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill prevents the use of federal funds for the development and maintenance of Venezuela's oil infrastructure.
- Scored +2
Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced?
The bill prohibits federal support for the expansion and development of oil infrastructure in Venezuela.
- Scored +2
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires the Secretary of State to submit annual reports to congressional committees regarding expenditures related to Venezuela's oil sector.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill prohibits payments to corporations for the support of Venezuela's oil infrastructure.
- Scored -1
Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad?
The bill restricts U.S. government officials from advocating for Venezuela's oil sector in international and diplomatic forums.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Protection of Taxpayer Funds: By prohibiting the use of federal funds to finance or subsidize the development, maintenance, or expansion of Venezuela's oil infrastructure, the bill seeks to prevent government money from being used for these purposes (Section 3(a)).
-
Prevention of Financial Support via Incentives: The bill prevents the use of U.S. funds for insurance costs, loan guarantees, tax incentives, and royalty relief related to Venezuela's petroleum sector (Section 3(a)(3)).
-
Restriction of Payments to Entities: The bill stops any payments made to individuals or various types of corporations from being used to support Venezuela's oil infrastructure (Section 3(a)(4)).
-
Accountability through Reporting: The Secretary of State is required to submit an annual report to appropriate congressional committees describing activities related to Venezuela's oil sector and certifying compliance, which provides oversight (Section 4).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly detailed in the text of the bill.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill prevents the use of federal funds for the development and maintenance of Venezuela's oil infrastructure.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced? — The bill prohibits federal support for the expansion and development of oil infrastructure in Venezuela.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Secretary of State to submit annual reports to congressional committees regarding expenditures related to Venezuela's oil sector.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill prohibits payments to corporations for the support of Venezuela's oil infrastructure.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad? — The bill restricts U.S. government officials from advocating for Venezuela's oil sector in international and diplomatic forums.
- 1/13/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Angela AlsobrooksDemocrat · Maryland
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont