S.Res.244 - Affirming that the underlying purpose of the Foreign Emoluments Clause renders the acceptance and transfer of a plane from the Government of Qatar, without the explicit consent of Congress, an illegal emolument, withholding the consent of the Senate to the acceptance and transfer of plane from the Government of Qatar, and demanding the transfer of any plane received by President Donald J. Trump or entities under his control from the Government of Qatar to the permanent control of th…
Summary
Senate Resolution 244 addresses concerns regarding the potential acceptance of a Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from the Government of Qatar by President Donald J. Trump. The resolution asserts that accepting the plane without explicit congressional consent would violate the Foreign Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution. It withholds Senate consent for the acceptance and demands that any such plane be transferred to the permanent control of the U.S. government.
Expected Effects
The resolution, if adopted, would formally express the Senate's disapproval of the President accepting the plane. It would also put pressure on the President to decline the gift or face potential legal challenges based on the Foreign Emoluments Clause. Ultimately, the resolution aims to prevent potential foreign influence and financial burdens on U.S. taxpayers.
Potential Benefits
- Upholds the Foreign Emoluments Clause, preventing potential foreign influence on the President.
- Protects taxpayers from bearing the significant costs of retrofitting and securing the plane.
- Mitigates national security risks associated with accepting a gift from a foreign government.
- Reinforces the principle of transparency and accountability in government.
- Preserves the integrity of the office of the President.
Potential Disadvantages
- Could strain diplomatic relations with Qatar.
- May be perceived as politically motivated, further polarizing the political climate.
- Could set a precedent for overly scrutinizing gifts to the U.S. government from foreign entities, even if legitimately intended.
- Potential legal challenges and protracted court battles if the President disregards the resolution.
- May divert attention from other pressing national issues.
Constitutional Alignment
The resolution directly invokes the Foreign Emoluments Clause (Article I, Section 9, Clause 8) of the U.S. Constitution. This clause prohibits the President from accepting any present, emolument, office, or title from any foreign state without the consent of Congress. The resolution argues that accepting the plane would violate the spirit and intent of this clause, even if legal technicalities might suggest otherwise.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).