Leader Schumer Floor Remarks And Unanimous Consent Request To Pass Legislation That Would Prohibit The Administration From Using A Foreign Aircraft As Air Force One

Washington, D.C. – Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor to ask for unanimous consent to pass the Presidential Airlift Security Act, following the Trump administration accepting a luxury jet from Qatar for eventual use as Air Force One. Senate Republicans blocked the legislation from passage. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:

Earlier today, the Defense Department announced the U.S. has formally accepted a luxury 747 jetliner as a gift from Qatar to be used as Air Force One. It’s the largest foreign gift to an American president in modern history, one Donald Trump says will go to his presidential library after his term.

This gift is outrageous. Donald Trump will berate companies to “eat his tariffs” and tell parents to pay more for groceries, but is accepting a luxury plane he can use as Air Force One.

This gift screams national security risk. It is bribery in broad daylight. Donald Trump is thumbing his nose at Republicans and practically daring them to stop him. Well, today, the Senate can.

In a few moments, I will move for swift passage of the Presidential Airlift Security Act, prohibiting the use of any foreign plane to be utilized as Air Force One.

Specifically, my legislation would prohibit even a single taxpayer dollar from being used by the Department of Defense to procure, modify, retrofit, or maintain any foreign aircraft for the purposes of transporting a U.S. President. This is about ensuring our national security and about not wasting taxpayer dollars on an utterly senseless deal.

It should not take an act of Congress to stop the President of the United States from accepting the largest foreign bribe in modern history. But apparently Donald Trump is perfectly willing to sell out the American people and the presidency to fill his own pockets.

Senate Republicans who say they’re troubled by the idea of using a foreign plane as Air Force One should join me in supporting this very commonsense bill.

Donald Trump accepting this gift reeks of corruption and naked self-enrichment, and Republicans should stand up and support my bill, defend national security, and protect Americans.

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