Senate Republicans on Wednesday blocked Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-N.Y.) bill that takes aim at President Trump’s deal with Qatar to accept a luxury jet as a gift to serve as the next Air Force One.
Schumer attempted to pass the measure, which would essentially bar the use of a foreign-owned aircraft as the presidential aircraft, via unanimous consent.
“This gift is outrageous,” Schumer said on the floor, calling it the “largest foreign bribe in modern history.” “It is bribery in broad daylight. … This is about ensuring our national security and about not wasting taxpayer dollars on an utterly senseless deal.”
“Donald Trump accepting this gift reeks of corruption and naked self-enrichment,” Schumer added, calling on the GOP to support it.
Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) blocked the effort.
Specifically, the Presidential Airlift Security Act would prohibit taxpayer funds from being used to retrofit any such plane as the presidential aircraft.
The move marked the latest attempt by Democrats to combat the potential arrangement, which would see the jet — valued at $400 million — transferred to the Department of Defense and be retrofitted over the coming months and years to serve as the next Air Force One. The Pentagon officially accepted the jet Wednesday.
Following Trump’s term, it would be transferred to his presidential library.
The gift has prompted an outcry from Democrats, who view it as blatant corruption.
However, Senate Republicans have not rushed to Trump’s side to back him on the issue. A number of members have aired complaints centered on safety and security, especially given Qatar’s past support for Hamas and the appearance of a quid pro quo.
Others also are confused by the need for this move, given the extensive cost to retrofit the aircraft in order to fly as Air Force One and then fly for a limited amount of time before it would be transferred to Trump’s library.