It's been three weeks since Trump declared a war for oil against Venezuela – and now that the immediate threat to Greenland seems to have passed, we need to pay more attention to what's happening down there.

So far, Trump hasn't been able to get the fossil fuel industry to invest in war and conquest like he'd hoped. So Trump is making a bad idea much worse – proposing that our taxpayer money go to reimburse oil companies for investments in Venezuela he wants them to make.

The Senate is back in session next week to debate spending bills, and now is the time to speak up. Will you send a letter to your Senators demanding no taxpayer dollars be spent on Trump’s war for oil?

A woman and a man shout and the power of their voices shatters a bomb with an oil derrick on it

Here's the back story for those who need a reminder: On January 3, the Trump administration carried out military strikes on Venezuela and kidnapped President Nicolás Maduro and his wife to stand trial in New York. Trump has since announced he will "run the country," that American oil companies will "spend millions" and "make a lot of money" taking over Venezuela's oil industry, and declared himself the "Acting President" of Venezuela on social media. He also declared another fake "national emergency" to shield Venezuelan oil cash from creditors and even the US government – setting up a private slush fund overseas that only he can control.

Two weeks ago, Trump summoned the CEOs of America's largest oil companies to the White House, but they weren't buying his invasion. Exxon CEO Darren Woods called it "uninvestible." Now, Trump is suggesting that taxpayers' dollars could be used to reimburse oil companies for the "tremendous amount of money" required to invest in Venezuela. Never mind the better uses of taxpayer dollars – like health insurance, clean energy investments, or just about anything at all besides enriching oil barons.

But Trump's a plan as ill-conceived as it is dangerous — and U.S. taxpayers could be left holding the bag. While Secretary of State Rubio initially claimed that their plan for Venezuela's oil is "not going to cost us anything," experts estimate that building up Venezuelan oil infrastructure could cost $115 BILLION.

While prices skyrocket at home, taxpayers should NOT be on the hook for Trump's lawless plan to pillage Venezuela's oil. Rep. Mike Levin and Sen. Jeff Merkley have introduced legislation to prevent that from happening — and we need everyone in Congress to add their support. But it's especially important to keep an eye on your US Senators because a majority of them, including five Republicans, voted for a War Powers Resolution, that would check Trump's ability and use of funds. The WPA is unlikely to get a vote in the House anytime soon, but Sen Merkley's legislation could come up as an amendment next week if they debate other spending bills for ICE and other agencies, as we've been telling you.

Act now to tell your Senators: No taxpayer dollars for Trump's fossil fascist wars!

Thanks for all you do,

Drew & the 198 methods to resist fossil fueled fascists crew

PS - If you want to learn more about how to stop Big Oil’s war profiteering and destruction, from Venezuela, to Palestine, and beyond: Register now for a call with our allies at OGAN, USCPR and others on how we can pressure institutions to cut ties with Chevron next Wednesday, Jan. 28 at 8PM ET / 5PM PT. RSVP here!

Sources

The Senate is back next week John.