January 08, 2026

Warren Calls for Hearings on National Security, Economic Policy Implications of President Trump’s Unauthorized Military Action in Venezuela

Warren raises questions about Trump’s proposal to provide massive taxpayer subsidies to oil companies, the status and impact of extensive U.S. sanctions that remain in place, corrupt financial activity, and other concerns about the integrity of financial markets

“The [Banking] Committee—which has jurisdiction over the federal government’s provision of financial aid to commerce and industry, as well as the integrity of key financial markets—has a responsibility to demand answers from the Trump Administration.” 

Letter (PDF)

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, called on Chairman Tim Scott (R-S.C.) to hold oversight hearings on the national security and economic policy implications of President Trump’s unauthorized military action in Venezuela.

“I write to request that you hold hearings in the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs regarding the economic implications of President Trump’s unauthorized military action in Venezuela, including his proposal to provide massive taxpayer subsidies to oil companies, the status and civilian impact of extensive U.S. sanctions that remain in place, and potentially corrupt financial activity and other concerns about the integrity of our financial markets,” wrote Ranking Member Warren. 

In the letter, Ranking Member Warren urged Chairman Scott to to use the Committee’s oversight authority to explore key issues under its jurisdiction, including:

  • President Trump’s proposal to provide massive taxpayer subsidies to oil companies;

  • The status and impact of extensive U.S. sanctions that remain in place; and

  • Concerns about corrupt financial activity and the integrity of financial markets.

“The Committee—which has jurisdiction over the federal government’s provision of financial aid to commerce and industry, as well as the integrity of key financial markets—has a responsibility to demand answers from the Trump Administration about this concerning record,” wrote Ranking Member Warren. “The Senators-only briefing that took place this morning, which we both attended, raised further questions and only further underscores the importance of public, substantive hearings on the President’s actions.”

She concluded:  “[R]ather than schedule such hearings, you have instead prioritized jamming legislation through the Committee at the behest of wealthy cryptocurrency executives. I strongly urge you to, instead, prioritize providing the public with meaningful information on how the President’s illegal military intervention in Venezuela will impact our financial industry and implicate the use of U.S. tax dollars to subsidize U.S. oil companies.”

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