GOP Senator blocks push to halt Qatar-gifted Air Force One upgrades

A Republican senator blocked Democrats’ bid to bar the Defense Department from spending on retrofit work for a Qatar-gifted Boeing 747-800 that’s been modified to serve as Air Force One. Democrats led by Schumer argued the upgrades raise ethical and security concerns, but Sen. Deb Fischer argued the bill would hinder presidential safety in a nuclear scenario and could constrain other presidential aircraft, effectively defeating the unanimous-consent attempt.