A resolution affirming that the underlying purpose of the Foreign Emoluments Clause renders the acceptance and transfer of a plane from the government of Qatar, without the explicit consent of Congress, an illegal emolument, withholding the consent of the Senate to the acceptance and transfer of plane from the government of Qatar, and demanding the transfer of any plane received by President Donald J. Trump or entities under his control from the government of Qatar to the permanent control of the United States Government.
This is a Senate resolution (S. Res. 244) introduced in the 119th Congress by Senator Blumenthal. It asserts that the Foreign Emoluments Clause of the Constitution would render the acceptance and transfer of a Boeing 747-8 plane from the Government of Qatar, without explicit congressional consent, an illegal emolument. The resolution withholds the Senate’s consent to the acceptance and transfer of such a plane and demands that any plane received by President Donald J. Trump or entities under his control be transferred from Qatar to the permanent control of the United States Government. It frames the issue as a matter of national security, taxpayer cost, and integrity of public office, and it is directed at the hypothetical scenario of a Gulf-state gift being used as Air Force One or for use by Trump-associated entities after the presidency. Note: This is a Senate resolution, a non-binding statement of policy. It does not, by itself, authorize or require any action or funding, and it does not change law unless subsequently enacted as actual legislation. The resolution is currently referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Key Points
- 1Core claim: Accepting and transferring a plane from the Government of Qatar without explicit congressional consent would violate the Foreign Emoluments Clause and constitute an illegal emolument.
- 2Senate action: Withholds the Senate’s consent to the acceptance and transfer of any such plane from Qatar, arguing that it poses unacceptable costs to taxpayers and serious national security risks.
- 3Transfer demand: Calls for the transfer of any plane received by President Trump or entities under his control from Qatar to the permanent control of the United States Government.
- 4Background details cited: The proposal concerns a Boeing 747-8 estimated at about $400 million, intended for use as Air Force One; concerns are raised about security (including potential listening devices), the need for extensive retrofitting, and substantial costs (potentially over $1 billion) and time.
- 5Security and costs: Notes that retrofitting and securing such a plane could be technically extensive, expensive, and time-consuming, with possible impacts on the normal security standards of Air Force One.
- 6Constitutional framing: Emphasizes that the Founders drafted the Foreign Emoluments Clause to prevent foreign influence on U.S. officers and that gifts from a foreign government require congressional consent.
- 7Status and scope: The resolution addresses “any plane” from Qatar and is framed to deter future foreign gifts in similar circumstances; it addresses the hypothetical involvement of the presidential transition and post-presidency use by Trump-associated entities.