House Dems seek to prevent use of Qatari jet as Air Force One

Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee want to prevent the Defense Department from modifying a foreign-owned aircraft as a stopgap replacement for Air Force One.

An amendment to the fiscal year 2026 defense policy bill, proposed today by Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT), would prohibit DOD from using funds to retrofit the Qatar-owned aircraft to serve as the presidential jet until Boeing delivers its contracted VC-25Bs.

“This provision is in response to President Trump’s unilateral decision to accept a Boeing 747 from Qatar to serve as a replacement for the current Air Force One, the VC-25A,” Courtney said. “And again, I just want to preface my remarks by reminding my colleagues on the committee that we have direct jurisdiction over the Air Force One program.”

The amendment failed on a voice vote, but a recorded vote was requested. The language was subsequently voted down 30-27 along party lines.

Courtney questioned the feasibility of retrofitting the aircraft to the necessary standards to serve as “essentially a flying command and control center” when Boeing hasn’t been able to complete the retrofit of the VC-25B in seven years.

Air Force Secretary Troy Meink, in previous testimony to the committee, said the modifications could be done for $400 million and completed before Boeing delivers the first VC-25B, which is set for FY-27 at the earliest.

The Boeing platform is also costing the taxpayer and Boeing each billions of dollars because of cost overruns.

Rep. Wesley Bell (D-MO) referenced the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution that prohibits federal officials -- including the president -- from accepting gifts from foreign governments without congressional approval. Congress has not approved such a gift, but the Trump administration has said the aircraft is a gift to DOD, not to him.

Republican Rep. Ronny Jackson (TX) opposed the amendment because of what he called capability gaps caused by the VC-25B delay. The VC-25A becomes more difficult and expensive to maintain with each passing year, he said, and “much smaller, much less capable” C-32s are being used when Air Force One is in the depot.

“This interim aircraft can restore essential functions for the president and serve as a critical backup for the current and future Air Force One fleets,” Jackson said. “This committee has a duty to ensure the president can safely and securely execute his duties as commander in chief, head of state and chief executive.”