Republican Louisiana Senator John Kennedy criticized a top Biden official during a hearing on Monday regarding the administration’s decision to lift sanctions against Venezuela’s authoritarian regime. In a video posted on his X account, Kennedy questioned Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo about the reasoning behind lifting sanctions related to oil and gas operations in Venezuela.
The order, known as General License No.44, was put into effect in October and eased restrictions imposed by former President Donald Trump in 2019 on the import of oil from Venezuela’s state-owned company, Petroleos de Venezuela. This decision was made in exchange for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s promise to make efforts towards a democratic election and release political prisoners and Americans held in Venezuelan custody, as reported by Reuters.
However, General License No.44 is set to expire on April 18 and the Biden administration’s statement in February suggested that renewal would depend on Maduro delivering on his promises and taking steps towards a democratic election by 2024. Senator Kennedy argued that Maduro has failed to follow through on his commitments and criticized the Biden administration for lifting sanctions instead of taking action against Maduro’s actions.
Adeyemo rebutted Kennedy, stating that the general license only suspended the sanctions and they could potentially be reinstated once the license expires. Kennedy compared this response to quoting Socrates in the middle of a bar fight, implying that it was irrelevant and ineffective.
The decision to suspend sanctions on Venezuela, and to potentially extend that suspension, is just one example of the Biden administration prioritizing the interests of America’s enemies over its own. This is particularly troublesome when it comes to energy policies. Kennedy has been a vocal critic of Biden’s energy policies. In a February news release on his Senate website, Kennedy accused Biden of “committing energy suicide.”
Kennedy believes that energy independence is crucial for America’s security and prosperity, and Biden’s policies are contradicting that goal. In his first days in office, Biden revoked approval for the Keystone XL pipeline, which would have helped the U.S. attain energy independence. He also imposed a moratorium on oil and gas leasing on federal lands and waters. Furthermore, he recently called on OPEC+ producers to increase their oil supply, instead of utilizing America’s position as one of the top three oil producers in the world.
The decision to lift sanctions on Venezuela further highlights Biden’s prioritization of foreign interests over domestic ones. This decision is in line with the administration’s pattern of ignoring America’s enemies and actively seeking agreements with them, such as the war in Afghanistan and the resurrection of the Iran nuclear deal.
Nicolas Maduro is on track to make $20 billion selling Venezuela’s oil and gas—because Pres. Biden lifted the sanctions on Maduro’s regime.
The Biden admin would rather let dictators pump their oil than allow America to use our own energy resources. pic.twitter.com/sB0U20WZfp
— John Kennedy (@SenJohnKennedy) April 10, 2024
Despite promising to make America “the leading force for good in the world,” President Biden’s decisions have resulted in strengthened enemies and weakened alliances. Rather than catering to the ideologies of the radical left, he could be unleashing America’s energy potential, creating jobs, and boosting our economy while also strengthening our national security and relationships with allies.
But, as has been demonstrated throughout his administration, the ideology of the left takes precedence over America’s interests. This is a concerning trend that could continue to result in detrimental decisions for our nation. Instead, it is time for Biden to prioritize America’s wellbeing and unleash the full potential of our energy resources.