On June 13, 2019, President of the United States Donald Trump revealed sketches of the brand new red, white, and blue paint scheme for Air Force One during an interview that aired on ABC’s Good Morning America show. See Details: Donald Trump unveils his new patriotic Air Force One Paint Job during a television interview
But one day earlier, a Connecticut Democrat introduced an amendment to a Pentagon spending plan that calls for congressional approval for spending on “interior, paint, and fixtures.” Members of the House Armed Services Seapower subcommittee drafted language this week that would effectively block Mr. Trump from altering the current light blue and white color design on the presidential plane, which has been in place since the Kennedy administration.
House defense lawmakers are demanding their own veto power — over any effort by President Trump to change the iconic paint scheme on his personal ride, Air Force One.
The Democrat-controlled House Armed Services Committee adopted Rep. Joe Courtney’s amendment on a 31-26 vote that went along party lines, the Hartford Courant reported.
Courtney told the newspaper why he introduced the amendment.
“Additional paint can add weight to the plane, additional fixtures inside the plane can also add cost and delays to the delivery of the plane,” Courtney said.
But the Democrat insisted he had no intention of blocking the president’s plan.
“We are not handcuffing the Air Force and Boeing,” he said. There is some flexibility.”
Another Democrat, Rep. John Garamendi of California, told the newspaper that the U.S. should be careful before changing the appearance of a plane that he said is symbolic of American leadership around the globe.
Trump reportedly said he wanted the plane to look “more American,” rather than be painted in a “Jackie Kennedy color.”
“I think it’s going to look much better, actually,” Trump said Friday morning on Fox & Friends. “I like the concept of red, white and blue.
“The baby blue doesn’t fit with us,” Trump added.
The proposed redesign comes as part of a contract with Boeing to build two new Air Force One jets to replace the current models, which are more than 30 years old.
Trump reached a deal with Boeing to buy the jets for $3.9 billion – after negotiating a $1.4 billion reduction from the original estimate.
