Trump controls Venezuelan oil revenue outside congressional appropriations

Energy Secretary Chris Wright disclosed on February 12, 2026 that Venezuelan oil sales had totaled $1 billion, with $5 billion more expected, held in a Qatari bank account controlled by the US government. The arrangement flowed from a January 2026 executive order directing Treasury to hold Venezuelan oil revenues in a custodial capacity. Congressional Democrats on the House Financial Services Committee demanded Treasury provide statutory authority, arguing the administration was collecting and controlling sovereign revenue without a congressional appropriation.