Sen. Schumer: "Close the offshore (Qatar) accounts and make way for oversight".

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Chuck Schumer @SenSchumer 5h
Looks like my threat of a GAO audit got their attention. Now they better close the offshore accounts and make way for oversight.

Also, where’s JD Vance’s corruption task force?



Venezuelan oil sale proceeds no longer routed through Qatar, US energy secretary says
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/venezuelan-oil-sale-proceeds-no-longer-routed-through-qatar-us-energy-sec-says-2026-02-27/

January 16, 2026
White House stashes Venezuela oil cash in Qatar banks: report
The White House has reportedly stashed millions of dollars from sales of Venezuelan oil in Qatari banks since the ouster of President Nicolas Maduro, raising huge questions about how the money will be allocated and if Congress and the American public will have a say. An estimated $500 million from the first Venezuelan oil sales has already been deposited in U.S.-controlled accounts, but that could be the tip of the iceberg as American officials seek to broker sales of up to 50 million barrels of oil. CNN and Reuters both confirmed the use of Qatari accounts, which was first reported by Semafor.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/01/16/white-house-venezuela-oil-cash-qatar-banks/

February 11, 2026
NEWS: Sens. Schiff and Schumer Demand Independent Audit of Trump Admin’s Secretive Plan for Handling Venezuela Oil Money That is Ripe for Corruption and Exploitation

“Trump claimed to be “America first.” But, it’s clear he is – and will always be – “Trump first.” Energy costs have soared for American families over the past year. Rather than provide real relief, President Trump is waging a war against clean energy that is driving up costs and killing jobs, concocting a scheme in secrecy that paves the way for self-enrichment and corruption of oil companies in rebuilding Venezuela,” said Leader Schumer.

“The American people deserve to know what’s happening with the money received from these Venezuelan oil payments and where – and to whom – they are going. There is no reason that Trump should be circumventing the US banking system and lining the pockets of his Big Oil Buddies rather than driving down costs for hardworking Americans.”

Specifically, the Venezuela Oil Proceeds Transparency Act would:

Direct the Comptroller General of the non-partisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) – often called the “congressional watchdog” – to conduct an independent, objective, fact-based audit of the US-Venezuela energy deal to apply sunlight to this unprecedented financial arrangement to protect Americans from ever rising energy costs at the hands of Trump.

Ensure transparency around the activities of the Departments of State, Energy, and Treasury in implementing the deal – as well as any contractors or other entities involved in moving these offshore funds.

Require GAO to initiate the audit within 30 days and to provide an interim briefing on its findings soon after the audit is completed.

Require GAO to formally report its findings to Congress within 90 days of completing its work. The GAO’s report would include a detailed description of its findings and conclusions regarding the administration’s offshore oil arrangement, and to make recommendations for legislative action.

Require the Comptroller General to immediately alert Congress if the Trump Administration unreasonably delays or denies GAO’s access to information necessary for the audit.

https://www.schiff.senate.gov/news/press-releases/news-sens-schiff-and-schumer-demand-independent-audit-of-trump-admins-secretive-plan-for-handling-venezuela-oil-money-that-is-ripe-for-corruption-and-expl/

full text of the bill is available here: https://www.schiff.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/NEW26052.pdf

[Bayard]

1. Busted!

Blatant grift.