Blocking Trump Plane Gift: President Donald Trump’s desire to accept a luxury jet from Qatar has sparked intense debate and opposition on Capitol Hill, with lawmakers from both parties weighing various actions to block the deal. The proposed gift, a $400 million Boeing 747-8, has raised concerns about security risks, taxpayer costs, and ethical implications.
Congressional Pushback
– Blocking Funding: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has introduced a bill to block the use of federal funds for buying, modifying, or maintaining a foreign aircraft for Air Force One, citing national security risks and corruption. Rep. Greg Meeks (D-N.Y.) has also introduced similar legislation to block federal funds for transferring a foreign-owned plane to the U.S. government or Trump’s presidential library.
– Amendments to Defense Bills: Lawmakers could attach amendments to the annual National Defense Authorization Act to limit or block the deal. This could force Republicans to choose between their allegiance to Trump and national security norms.
– Speeding Up Boeing Plane Delivery: Defense-focused lawmakers might push to accelerate the delivery of new Boeing planes, which are currently delayed, to avoid using the Qatari jet. Boeing has lost over $2 billion on the project due to cost overruns.
Still on Blocking Trump Plane Gift
Constitutional Concerns
– Foreign Emoluments Clause: The House Judiciary Committee’s Democrats, led by Rep. Jamie Raskin, are introducing a resolution invoking the Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause, which prohibits federal officials from accepting gifts or payments without congressional consent. Accepting the Qatari plane without approval could breach constitutional safeguards against foreign influence.
Pressure Tactics
– Blocking Arms Sale: Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) has introduced a resolution to block a $1.9 billion arms sale to Qatar, citing concerns about bribing an American president. While Congress has never successfully blocked a foreign arms sale via joint resolution, this move aims to pressure Qatar to reconsider the gift.
– Holding Up Nominees: Democrats might try to jam up Trump’s Pentagon personnel roster by placing procedural holds on nominees, although this approach is unlikely to succeed without Republican support.
High Court Judge Criticizes Charity Commission’s Kids Company Report as “Extremely Unfair”.
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