Nebraska Senator stalls Schumer bid to bar taxpayer funds for Qatar-donated presidential jet

Sen. Deb Fischer (R–Neb.) blocked a Senate move by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to unanimously approve a measure that would prohibit using taxpayer money to retrofit the Qatar-donated Boeing 747 intended to become the next Air Force One. Fischer argued the proposal could jeopardize the Survivable Airborne Operations Center program and noted it had already been voted down earlier. Schumer characterized the gift as a symbol of corruption and urged security upgrades for the jet, which Trump has said will be “maxed out” despite reports it lacks certain defenses.