Courtney, Smith Introduce Bill to Prohibit Qatari-Gifted Air Force One from Becoming President Trump’s Private Jet or Library Trophy

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), Ranking Member of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, and Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, introduced the Safeguarding Taxpayer Investment for Executive Airlift Act. The bill would prohibit the use of congressionally authorized or appropriated FY27 funding to transfer the Qatari-gifted 747, now being used as Air Force One (the VC-25B Bridge Aircraft), out of possession of the U.S. Air Force. 

“President Trump is publicly claiming that the Qatari-gifted VC-25B Bridge aircraft will be transferred to his presidential library. My bill makes clear that this plane is the property of the U.S. Air Force, not the President’s private jet or a library trophy piece. Upon its transfer from Qatar to the U.S. Air Force, the luxury jet had around just 1,000 flight hours; the President himself described it as practically ‘brand new.’ Following substantial taxpayer investment to retrofit the plane, the notion that it will be retired in 2028 and sent to President Trump’s library is an unacceptable misuse of taxpayer dollars and screams out for oversight from Congress,” said Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.

"Everything about the president’s acceptance of the Qatari-gifted Boeing 747 now being used as Air Force One is deeply troubling. From the ethical and constitutional concerns of accepting such a gift from a foreign government, to his belief that he can take personal possession of an aircraft that has cost millions of dollars of taxpayers' money to bring it up to the standards required for transportation of the president. This situation is further complicated by this administration’s unprecedented lack of transparency with both Congress and the American people and demands congressional action.  I am proud to join Rep. Courtney as an original co-sponsor of the Safeguarding Taxpayer Investment for Executive Airlift Act to prohibit transfer of that aircraft, or any or any VC-25B Bridge aircraft, from the possession of the U.S. Air Force," said Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee.

To read a fact sheet on the Safeguarding Taxpayer Investment for Executive Airlift Act, including a timeline of the Qatari-gifted VC-25B Bridge aircraft, click here.

Executive airlift programs, including Air Force One, fall under the jurisdiction of the House Seapower and Projection Force Subcommittee.

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