SRES 218119th CongressIntroduced

A resolution condemning any acceptance of Presidential aircraft, or any other substantial gift, from a foreign government.

Introduced: May 13, 2025

Defense & National Security

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This Senate resolution (S. Res. 218) condemns any acceptance by the United States of a Presidential aircraft or other substantial gifts from a foreign government. It frames such gifts as grave national security risks, potential foreign influence on U.S. policy, and a troubling constitutional precedent. The measure cites the Foreign Emoluments Clause and argues that any such acceptance would require explicit consent from Congress. It calls on the executive branch to reject any arrangement that does not meet security standards and to ensure such gifts comply with the law. The resolution is non-binding and serves as a formal statement of Senate position and guidance to the President and federal agencies.

Key Points

1Condemns any acceptance of a Presidential aircraft or other substantial gifts from a foreign government as a grave national security threat and a risk to U.S. integrity and policy independence.
2Asserts that such a gift would require explicit consent of Congress under the Foreign Emoluments Clause of the Constitution, and that the President should not accept it without that consent.
3Demands that any potential gift be accepted only with congressional authorization, effectively placing a veto-like check on such arrangements.
4Urges the executive branch to reject operating an aircraft not built under the security specifications or supervision of the Department of Defense (i.e., not equivalent to Air Force One) if doing so would compromise national security.
5States that acceptance of such a gift should be condemned if it violates any law.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: The President and the executive branch (including the Department of Defense and national security architecture) as well as U.S. constitutional norms regarding foreign gifts and emoluments.Secondary group/area affected: U.S. Congress (explicitly, its role in approving or denying such gifts), U.S. government procurement and security standards for presidential aircraft, and foreign governments seeking to gift state assets.Additional impacts: Signals a strong Senate stance that could influence future executive decisions, procurement/security considerations for presidential transport, and the political conversation around foreign influence and trust in government.This is a non-binding Senate resolution, not a law. It does not enact new requirements but expresses the Senate’s condemnation and calls for Congress to approve any such gifts.The bill references Air Force One as a symbol and emphasizes that presidential aircraft include highly sensitive technologies and security considerations.

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