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WASHINGTON — Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer on Monday introduced a bill that would prevent any foreign aircraft from being used as Air Force One, the aircraft that transports the president.
Schumer introduced the "Presidential Airlift Security Act" after news last week that President Donald Trump planned to accept a $400 million airplane from Qatar, which legal experts said raised a raft of questions about the scope of laws that relate to gifts from foreign governments and are intended to thwart corruption and improper influence.
A Qatari spokesperson, Ali Al-Ansari, previously told the New York Times that news reports about the gift were "inaccurate" because the possible transfer of the aircraft was still under consideration and "no decision has been made," the newspaper reported.
Trump has dismissed criticism of his plan to accept the 13-year-old airplane, saying it would be "stupid" to turn down the offer.
Trump also called it a practical decision, and that he was disappointed Boeing had taken so long to deliver on already delayed contracts for the two new Air Force One planes that he renegotiated during his first term.
Contributing: Patricia Zengerle
