5 actions Democrats are taking against Trump’s Qatari jet push

[mystery-ak]

 5 actions Democrats are taking against Trump’s Qatari jet push
by Al Weaver - 05/20/25 6:00 PM ET

Senate Democrats are showing no signs of slowing down in their push to combat President Trump’s potential acceptance of a Qatari jet to serve as the next Air Force One as they look to pressure the president and the GOP and scuttle any potential deal with the Gulf nation.

Members admit the tools available to them are limited. But that has not stopped them from heaping criticism on the move and trying to leverage pressure points over how best to possibly nix the arrangement, which has angered Democrats and made Republicans uneasy.

Here are five ways the party is trying to address the deal head-on in the coming weeks and months.


Follow the Leader

In the 10 days since news of the potential gift worth $400 million emerged, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has played a key role leading the chorus in opposition as precious few Republicans have jumped to Trump’s side on the matter.

The New York Democrat has made two initial salvos against the push — the most recent coming this week when he unveiled a new bill that would bar a foreign-owned aircraft from being used as Air Force One.

Specifically, the Presidential Airlift Security Act would prohibit taxpayer funds from being used to retrofit any such plane as the presidential aircraft.

On top of that, Schumer announced plans last week to place a hold on all political nominees for the Department of Justice (DOJ), which has reportedly deemed the potential transaction as “legally permissible.”

Whether such efforts will bear fruit remains to be seen. The DOJ hold could affect dozens of nominees, though it only has a direct impact on a few at present.

As for the bill, members hope that it, along with other proposals, could win consideration on the coming National Defense Authorization Act process or another larger bill.

If nothing else, Democrats hope they can put Republicans in an increasingly tough spot. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) labeled the effort as “bold.”

“Makes sense to me,” Durbin told The Hill.

more
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5310603-senate-democrats-oppose-trump-jet/

[berdie]

IMHO, which ain't worth much, I don't think we should accept a "free" jet from any country. There is no such thing as a free lunch.

I have a hard time believing that Boeng can't deliver. Aren't there any other companies that can?

I will say, the pics of the interior of the "donated" jet look scrumptious. I guess you could force me to fly on it if I had to.
.

[Smokin Joe]

The current replacement planes are currently 3 years overdue, and projected to be delivered in 2027, at the soonest (and God only knows how much over budget).

Of course Chucky would want the current POTUS flying around on a jet 5 years beyond the end of its standard life cycle (considered to be 25-30 years for a 747).

Why is it I get the feeling Chuck was pulling the strings in the White House while ol' Sniffy was doddering around?

[Wingnut]

People who don't care really don't care.  But let the stupid care.