Senate Democrats Probe DHS's $464 Million 10-Jet Purchase as Most Planes Sit Idle
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Aug 25
Senate Democrats Probe DHS's $464 Million 10-Jet Purchase as Most Planes Sit Idle
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Aug 25
Summary
Three Senate Democrats asked Homeland Security on Tuesday for records and flight details tied to its $464 million purchase of 10 used jets, focusing on why the aircraft have seen little use.
The department bought seven Boeing 737s and three luxury business jets from Daedalus Aviation through a no-bid contract, saying the planes were urgently needed for deportation flights.
Most of the fleet has barely flown: DHS has sought to loan or lease two luxury jets to other agencies, while the 737s have sat for months at times in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Richard Blumenthal, Peter Welch and Adam Schiff also asked for communications between Daedalus and current or former DHS leaders, and for an explanation of why a company with no prior federal contracts was chosen.
DHS did not immediately comment; earlier this month it said former Secretary Kristi Noem approved the purchase and that two of the 10 planes would be used for deportation flights in August.