WTAS: Democrats Criticize Joe Biden for Negotiating with Bad Actors for Oil

The Biden administration’s consideration of cutting deals for oil with Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, and Iran sparked widespread criticism from both sides of the aisle Tuesday. 

Several Senate and House Democrats publicly voiced their opposition to Biden’s move after the White House tried to block bipartisan efforts in Congress to ban Russian oil imports.

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ)

Sabrina Rodríguez, Politico: “New: Menendez, head of Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Biden admin’s talks w/Maduro regime — 

“‘The democratic aspirations of the Venezuelan people, much like the resolve and courage of the people of Ukraine, are worth much more than a few thousand barrels of oil.’”

Seung Min Kim, Washington Post: “Remarkable from @SenatorMenendez on the admin’s talks in Venezuela: ‘The Biden administration’s efforts to unify the entire world against a murderous tyrant in Moscow should not be undercut by propping up a dictator under investigation for crimes against humanity in Caracas.’”

MSNBC: “You don’t have to go to a dictator that ultimately has created enormous consequences for his people, that kills people, that imprisons them…”

Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT)

Manu Raju, CNN: “Senior Democrats are pushing back on the talk about bolstering foreign oil from places like Venezuela, Iran and Saudi Arabia to offset the loss of Russian imports.

“‘We shouldn’t be advancing other countries who don’t share our values,’ said Sen. Jon Tester”

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV)

Manu Raju, CNN: “‘Go back to the policies that we’ve had before,’ Manchin told me, calling for more domestic energy production. ‘That’s all we’re asking for. And if we’re asking the rest of the world to step up, let’s show that we’re going to step up.’”

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ)

Melanie Zanona, CNN: “But the pushback isn’t just from the GOP, per @mkraju & @morgan_rimmer. 

“Joe Manchin, who reps a coal state, said importing Venezuelan oil isn’t a good idea.

“And Mark Kelly, who is up for re-elect, said ‘there’s opportunities here in the U.S. to increase production of gas.'”

Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY)

Ramsey Touchberry, Washington Times: “Despite Biden’s impending ban on Russian energy, @LeaderHoyer says House will still pass similar sanctions this wk

“Separately, Ds aren’t happy w/WH considering oil imports from Venezuela, Iran, Saudi

@RepSeanMaloney-’I don’t support strengthening one dictator to hurt another’”

Rep. Val Demings (D-FL)

Rep. Val Demings: “I am deeply skeptical of the new talks in #Venezuela. We must ensure that Florida families can afford gas, AND ensure that no dictators can profit from this crisis. My statement: https://demings.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-demings-venezuela-oil-overtures”