The State Department is sharply criticizing Senate Democrats, labeling their demand for a briefing on a significant Venezuela oil deal as “pure grandstanding” after the lawmakers allegedly postponed the session to leave Washington early. Four senior Senate Democrats had requested documents and a briefing regarding an agreement with North American Blue Energy Partners (NABEP), which grants the Department of War a 35% stake in a major Venezuelan oil producer. State Department officials claim they had informed the senators for weeks about the planned briefing and document delivery, even providing copies to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as a “courtesy” after the briefing was canceled. Assistant Secretary Dylan Johnson explicitly accused the Democrats of canceling the briefing to “skip town and go on vacation.” However, a congressional source familiar with the situation disputes this, stating that lawmakers were not informed the written agreement would be provided before their letter and that the briefing was intended as a broader policy update, not solely focused on the oil deal. Emails reviewed by Fox News Digital suggest the request to postpone the briefing originated from a Republican staffer on the committee, citing the Senate’s adjournment for fall recess. This dispute unfolds as Democrats challenge the legality and prudence of the deal, questioning the Pentagon’s authority to acquire such a stake and raising concerns about NABEP’s vetting, while the administration defends the agreement as a strategic move to revive Venezuelan oil production, expand U.S. economic influence, and potentially lower fuel prices.
Adapted from: Latest Political News on Fox News
