Democrat blocks Trump's plans to repaint Air Force One: NPR

After all, President Donald Trump may not see red, white and blue in a recently renovated Air Force One.

A House Democrat added a provision to the annual Defense Policy Bill to put an end to the president's patriotic design project. It will maintain two new versions of the Boeing 747 in the cost estimates by banning certain paint jobs and other extras.

Representative Joe Courtney, D-Conn., Said this provision was necessary to avoid additional spending beyond the project's $ 3.9 billion budget. The contract for the aircraft includes an "over and under" clause that could allow the project expenses to become uncontrollable, he warned.

"It will be a well-appointed aircraft when new aircraft are deployed," Courtney said at a marathon session devoted to the defense bill before the House of Armed Forces Committee. We are just trying to make sure that the above clause of the Air Force One contract does not basically become a back door of the program against bleeding in terms of extra costs. "

The amendment was passed at the end of the hearing on Thursday morning as part of the adoption by the law commission of the law of 2020 on the authorization of the defense National Office (NDAA).

The amendment comes just days after Trump rented a new interpretation of the jet during an interview with George Stephanopoulos of ABC. Some said the new look would take its traditional colors from blue to red, white and blue, which seemed very similar to the president's campaign look.

Trump also said that it was a much larger version than the current model.

"Here's your new Air Force One and I'm doing it for other presidents, not for me," Trump told Stephanopolous.

Boeing and Trump signed a new $ 3.9 billion contract in July. The new Air Force One could be unveiled as early as 2024.

Courtney said that concerns over spending had been expressed in June 2018 after the Air Force had sought to add a new $ 25 million refrigeration system to the president's plane. .

The Connecticut Democrat, who chairs the House Services subgroup of the Armed Forces on Seapower and Projection Forces, said his committee had been involved in the matter after the announcement of the plan.

"Our subcommittee … is trying to exercise more control," he said.

Courtney said the committee had coordinated its activities with the Air Force Secretary at the time, Heather Wilson, who had subsequently canceled the plans for this system.