Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that President Trump must comply with the Foreign Emoluments Clause, by submitting all plans for his jumbo jet gift from Qatar immediately to Congress.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 410
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-14: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-07T08:05:29Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 410) expresses the non-binding opinion of the House of Representatives that President Donald Trump must follow the Foreign Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Specifically, it urges him to submit all details about a proposed gift of a luxury Boeing 747-8 aircraft (valued at around $400 million) from the royal family of Qatar to Congress for review and approval before accepting it. The resolution highlights historical precedents where presidents sought congressional permission for foreign gifts to avoid conflicts of interest or corruption.
Key Provisions
- Compliance with the Foreign Emoluments Clause: The resolution references Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 of the Constitution, which prohibits federal officials from accepting gifts, payments, or titles from foreign governments without Congress's consent. It stresses that this rule ensures loyalty to the American people and prevents foreign influence.
- Immediate Submission of Plans: President Trump is called upon to provide all plans related to the aircraft gift to Congress right away.
- Requirement for Consent: If the president wants to accept the gift for temporary use as a presidential transport (with ownership later transferring to his personal presidential library foundation by January 1, 2029), he must obtain explicit approval from Congress, following examples set by past presidents like George Washington, Andrew Jackson, and Abraham Lincoln.
- Historical Context: The resolution cites numerous examples from U.S. history where presidents either sought and received congressional approval for foreign gifts or deposited them with government agencies when approval was denied, emphasizing a tradition of transparency and caution.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This is a resolution, not a bill that becomes law, so it introduces no changes to existing statutes or the Constitution. It serves only as a formal statement of the House's position and does not create enforceable obligations.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Could require involvement from agencies like the Department of Defense (which is handling the aircraft acceptance) and the Department of State or Treasury for depositing or managing the gift if approved. It might also lead to increased scrutiny and costs for retrofitting the plane for security (e.g., removing potential surveillance devices), estimated in hundreds of millions or billions of dollars, without replacing existing Air Force One upgrades.
- On Citizens: Aims to protect against foreign influence on U.S. leaders, potentially safeguarding taxpayer funds and national security by preventing unvetted foreign gifts. However, acceptance could save on transport costs if approved, though the resolution argues it would not offset broader expenses.
- On International Relations: May strain ties with Qatar by publicly questioning the gift's motives, raising concerns about espionage or undue influence from an autocratic state. It underscores U.S. commitment to constitutional norms in dealings with foreign governments.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- President Donald Trump: Directly targeted, as the resolution demands his compliance and highlights his public comments expressing interest in the gift.
- U.S. Congress: Positioned as the approving authority, with the resolution referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for review.
- Qatari Royal Family: The donors of the aircraft, potentially affected if the gift is rejected or delayed.
- U.S. Taxpayers and National Security Officials: Indirectly impacted through potential costs, risks of foreign surveillance on the president, and preservation of government integrity.
- Democratic House Members: Sponsors (e.g., Mr. Raskin, Mr. Nadler) represent a partisan push, indicating involvement from oversight-focused lawmakers.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Constitutional Implications: Reinforces the Foreign Emoluments Clause as a key anti-corruption safeguard, reminding that it applies strictly to presidents and requires congressional consent for any foreign "present" (gift). Non-compliance could invite legal challenges, though enforcement relies on Congress or courts.
- Legal Implications: While non-binding, it could support future lawsuits or impeachment proceedings if the gift is accepted without approval, building on historical precedents where presidents deferred to Congress to avoid violations.
- Political Implications: Introduced by Democratic representatives in a divided Congress (119th, 1st Session), it carries partisan undertones criticizing Trump's approach to foreign gifts. It may fuel debates on executive accountability, foreign policy ethics, and national security, especially amid concerns over "influence peddling" without altering binding law.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (85)
Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Pelosi, Nancy [D-CA-11], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4], Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34], Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3], Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6] and 35 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-14: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2025-05-14: Submitted in House
- 2025-05-14: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that President Trump must comply with the Foreign Emoluments Clause, by submitting all plans for his jumbo jet gift from Qatar immediately to Congress. — issued 2025-05-14 — PDF (5 pages)