The State Department has accused Democratic Senators of engaging in performative “grandstanding.” This accusation comes after they demanded a comprehensive briefing on a Venezuela oil deal, only to postpone it. The delay allowed the Senate to commence its fall recess early.
Four senior Senate Democrats had requested documents. They were aware these documents were forthcoming, according to material reviewed by Fox News Digital. Initially, a congressional briefing on the agreement had been planned for October 1, 2026. This, however, was rescheduled to allow an early recess.
The lawmakers sought details regarding a Pentagon agreement with North American Blue Energy Partner (NABEP). This agreement provides the Department of War with a 35% stake in one of Venezuela’s major oil firms. The State Department stated that these Senators had known for weeks about the planned briefing to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The department moved forward by delivering the U.S. government’s strategic partnership agreement copies with NABEP to the committee. Despite the briefing being canceled, they did so as a “courtesy.”
Dylan Johnson, the State Department’s Assistant Secretary for Global Public Affairs, claimed that Senate Democrats canceled the briefing to “skip town and go on vacation.” Johnson expressed this sentiment on X. “This is pure grandstanding,” he wrote.
When they sent this letter, they had known for weeks that we planned to brief them and provide the documents today, on October 1.
However, a congressional source disputed the State’s account. The source stated that lawmakers had not been informed that the NABEP agreement would be provided before they wrote the letter. The briefing was intended to be a comprehensive update on U.S. Venezuela policy rather than focusing solely on the oil deal.
Emails reviewed by Fox News Digital revealed that the postponement request originated from a Republican majority staffer on the Foreign Relations Committee. This staffer informed the State Department on October 1 that “the Senate has left town” and requested deferral of the briefing until November.
The group of Democrats have been questioning the legality and wisdom of the Trump administration’s agreement with NABEP. This deal gives the Pentagon a stake in Venezuela’s oil production. They argue that the Pentagon may not have the legal authority to secure the stake. They also expressed doubts about NABEP’s vetting process and leadership.
The Trump administration asserts that the structure could yield significant returns for the U.S. without upfront taxpayer expenses. They claim the government’s 35% stake could be worth hundreds of billions if NABEP successfully develops the fields.
The deal might offer the U.S. a new source of low-cost crude oil. This comes at a time when the administration seeks to boost global supply and reduce fuel prices. The State Department would be able to buy 20% of NABEP’s production at cost with the right of first refusal on the remaining production.
Currently, NABEP produces around 220,000 barrels a day. Their plans indicate a production increase to 500,000 barrels a day by 2028. The deal is part of efforts to restore Venezuelan oil production post-Nicolás Maduro’s removal from office.
After a U.S. military operation in early 2026 led to Maduro and his wife facing federal charges in the U.S., interim leader Delcy Rodríguez took over. Efforts to revamp the Venezuelan economy include increasing oil production, thereby reducing the impact of nations like China and Russia in its energy sector.
Notably, Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Jack Reed, Martin Heinrich, and Elizabeth Warren sent a letter questioning the Pentagon’s legal authority to acquire a foreign oil company’s equity. They expressed concerns about support for an “unknown foreign oil company.” Additionally, they pointed to previous money-laundering investigations involving NABEP chairman Alejandro Betancourt, although he faces no current charges from the U.S.
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