Meanwhile, new Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti was sworn in at a ceremony in Rome Wednesday, after forming a new governemnt following the resignation of Silvio Bersluconi.
The committee also has sought and received FBI and CIA clearance to declassify some intelligence material regarding an alleged plot by the Chinese governemnt to funnel illegal money into U.S. elections.
There has so far been no official comment from the Venezuelan governemnt but former vice president Jose Rangel said the accusations aimed "to perpetuate bad ties" between the two South American neighbours.