GOP blocks Schumer's bid to halt funding for Trump's Qatar jet retrofit

7/22/2026

Air Force One retrofit funding draws Senate GOP resistance over Trump's $1B jet upgrade See why Democrats warn of costs and security risks as the Qatar-gifted Boeing 747 moves ahead

Senate Republicans blocked an effort by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to stop taxpayer money from being used to upgrade a Boeing 7478 gifted to President Donald Trump by Qatar. The administration has said the retrofit could cost as much as $1 billion, and Democrats have raised concerns about both the expense and the security implications of using the aircraft as Air Force One. Schumer proposed legislation that would bar Department of War funds from being used to buy, modify, restore, or maintain aircraft previously owned by a foreign government. Sen. Deb Fischer opposed the measure, arguing it would also affect another aircraft program tied to presidential continuity and nuclear command capabilities. The aircraft is expected to be upgraded later this year, with Trump using the older Air Force One during that work.