Latest news with #Gulfstream
Economic Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
‘We spend our dollars wisely': Kristi Noem clashes with Sen. Gallego over $50M luxury jet request
During a heated Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing, Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) questioned DHS Secretary Kristi Noem over a controversial $50 million request for a new Gulfstream jet. Noem defended the request, stating that the proposed jet would replace an over 20-year-old aircraft currently in use by the Coast Guard. Show more 10:14 08:02 02:31 03:32 08:52 07:36 09:45 06:40 02:23 05:57 04:18 10:29 03:38 07:04 06:31 02:05 03:41 05:36 04:15 09:36 08:58 09:11 04:43 10:26 11:48 09:14 03:32 08:23 04:06 08:18 09:25 04:00 17:18 09:21 03:35
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
‘We spend our dollars wisely': Kristi Noem clashes with Sen. Gallego over $50M luxury jet request
During a heated Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing, Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) questioned DHS Secretary Kristi Noem over a controversial $50 million request for a new Gulfstream jet. Noem defended the request, stating that the proposed jet would replace an over 20-year-old aircraft currently in use by the Coast Guard. Show more Show less
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
House Democrats demand answers from Noem on plans for $50M jet
Democrats are demanding answers about a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plan to purchase a new $50 million jet for Secretary Kristi Noem. The jet, slotted in as a line item to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) budget, comes as the department argues its current plane is beyond its operational usage hours. 'Reports indicate this jet would cost $50 million and replace one of the two Gulfstream jets already at your disposal. Funding the acquisition of this new jet would come at the cost of other USCG investments, including sorely needed modernization of the USCG's aging aircraft fleet used by service members for search and rescue and other critical missions,' Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) wrote in a letter to Noem alongside Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.). Both Democrats sit on the House Homeland Security panel. Thompson is the panel's ranking member. 'Simply put, your purchase of a new jet would directly diminish the availability of other USCG aircraft to carry out critical missions,' the two wrote. The letter from the two lawmakers describes an aging fleet of Coast Guard aircraft, noting that many entered service in the 1980s and 1990s, in contrast with the current Gulfstream used for Noem's travel, which was purchased in 2002. They also point to a Government Accountability Office report finding that the Coast Guard has had trouble securing parts for its helicopters as the manufacturer no longer produces them. The letter asks DHS to detail flights taken by Noem on two existing jets used for travel as well as a breakdown of all Coast Guard aircraft that 'have a service life expiration date' prior to the two Gulfstreams. The DHS did not immediately respond to request for comment Friday but has previously defended the need for the jets. 'The current CG-101 G550 is over twenty years old, outside of Gulfstream's service life, and well beyond operational usage hours for a corporate aircraft,' Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs, said in a statement when news of the budget request was first reported. 'This is a matter of safety. Much like the Coast Guard's ships that are well beyond their service life and safe operational usage, Coast Guard's aircraft are too,' she added. 'This Administration is taking action to restore our Nation's finest maritime Armed Service to a capable fighting force.' DHS has defended the need for the jets. 'The current CG-101 G550 is over twenty years old, outside of Gulfstream's service life, and well beyond operational usage hours for government aircraft,' the agency said in a Friday statement. 'This is a matter of safety. Much like the Coast Guard's ships that are well beyond their service life and safe operational usage, Coast Guard's aircraft are, too. This Administration is taking action to restore our Nation's finest maritime Armed Service to a capable fighting force. DHS responds to official correspondence through official channels.' Coast Guard Adm. Kevin Lunday was grilled about the request when appearing before the House Appropriations Committee earlier this month. 'I was horrified last Friday when we received a last minute addition to your spend plan for fiscal '25, a new $50 million Gulfstream 5 for Secretary Noem's personal travel coming from the Coast Guard budget. She already has a Gulfstream 5, by the way, this is a new one,' said Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.), the top Democrat on the committee's Subcommittee on Homeland Security. Lunday described the plane as 'old, and it's approaching obsolescence and the end of its service life, the avionics are increasingly obsolete, the communications are increasingly unreliable, and it's in need of recapitalization, like much of the rest of the fleet.' Thompson and McIver said the bid for a new plane for Noem echoes President Trump's efforts to secure a new Air Force One from Qatar. 'We know President Trump has set a high bar for wasteful luxury travel by government officials with his unconstitutional attempt to personally acquire a $400 million jet from a foreign government. That does not mean members of his Cabinet must follow suit,' they wrote. 'Your desire to travel in luxury should not eclipse the need for USCG service members to fly safely and conduct lifesaving missions.' Updated at 12:28 p.m. EDT Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's ultra-luxury Italian wedding plans in peril as reports of trouble begin to swirl
The biggest wedding of the century apparently seems to be in great jeopardy. Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's wedding in Venice has triggered more than just excitement. Residents and activists are angry about the lavish party scheduled to take place in late June. People in Venice say that the billionaire's big day is turning their city into a playground for the wealthy, with blocked streets and luxury takeovers. Why are Venetians protesting the Bezos wedding? Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's $10 million wedding in Venice has sparked protests. Activist groups are preparing massive protests against Bezos and the local government. The incensed residents claim that the "richest and most dangerous man in the world" is holding their home hostage, as per a report by the Daily Mail. ALSO READ: Blake Lively's business takes a hit as Taylor Swift fans boycott products over allegations in Baldoni lawsuit Live Events The couple's much-anticipated wedding is scheduled for the weekend of June 24 in the Floating City. For the wedding day itself, Jeff Bezos is reportedly occupying the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, completely reserving five opulent hotels and every water taxi in Venice. Just as Venice's busiest travel season begins, heavy police presence, closed streets and airspace, and enhanced security are all necessary for the anticipated attendance of A-list celebrities, politicians, and business executives, as per a report by the Daily Mail. Although Bezos owns four Gulfstream jets, guests are likely to arrive at local airports in gas-guzzling private aircraft. However, the 61-year-old is unable to dock his $500 million superyacht Koru because it is too large to anchor near Venice. What impact is the wedding having on Venice? With Venice's canals filthy and the city's delicate lagoon being destroyed by mass tourism, the enormous carbon footprint of Bezos and his laden guests will only aggravate the locals. Self-described as a "anti-fascist, anti-capitalist, anti-racist, and trans-feminist political space," the Laboratorio Occupato Morion is already organising a protest event for Friday at its social center, which is just a short stroll from the city's historic St. Mark's Square. Why is the backlash growing? With the slogan, 'No space for Bezos, No space for oligarchs!' and a picture of Bezos' head atop a rocket, the group has already started promoting the protest online. "Jeff Bezos believes he can purchase the entire city, let's throw him a party!" the flyer says, adding information about Friday's protest. The flyer states, "Those who live in Venice on a daily basis are left with discomfort, exclusion, and precariousness, while Venice is transformed into yet another playground for billionaires." The group states, "Bezos embodies what this city and global movements have been fighting against for decades, a financial and technological oligarchy that exploits workers, the planet, and entire territories and populations." "The event is just the beginning and will culminate in a 'big demonstration' on the actual wedding day," Alice Bazzoli, a spokesperson for Laboratorio Occupato Morion, told Daily Mail. In the week leading up to the wedding, they intend to hold a variety of small-scale events, culminating in a large-scale protest on the wedding day. FAQs Why are people so upset about Jeff Bezos' wedding in Venice? Locals believe the rich are taking over their city, with tight security, closed spaces, and environmental concerns disrupting life during peak tourist season. Is a protest planned? Yes, activists are planning events and a large demonstration on the wedding day to protest the disruption and Bezos' presence.
The Hill
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hill
House Democrats demand answers from Noem on plans for $50M jet
Democrats are demanding answers about a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plan to purchase a new $50 million jet for Secretary Kristi Noem. The jet, slotted in as a line item to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) budget, comes as the department argues its current plane is beyond its operational usage hours. 'Reports indicate this jet would cost $50 million and replace one of the two Gulfstream jets already at your disposal. Funding the acquisition of this new jet would come at the cost of other USCG investments, including sorely needed modernization of the USCG's aging aircraft fleet used by service members for search and rescue and other critical missions,' Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) wrote in a letter to Noem alongside Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.). Both Democrats sit on the House Homeland Security panel. Thompson is the panel's ranking member. 'Simply put, your purchase of a new jet would directly diminish the availability of other USCG aircraft to carry out critical missions,' the two wrote. The letter from the two lawmakers describes an aging fleet of Coast Guard aircraft, noting that many entered service in the 1980s and 1990s, in contrast with the current Gulfstream used for Noem's travel, which was purchased in 2002. They also point to a Government Accountability Office report finding that the Coast Guard has had trouble securing parts for its helicopters as the manufacturer no longer produces them. The letter asks DHS to detail flights taken by Noem on two existing jets used for travel as well as a breakdown of all Coast Guard aircraft that 'have a service life expiration date' prior to the two Gulfstreams. DHS did not immediately respond to request for comment Friday but has previously defended the need for the jets. 'The current CG-101 G550 is over twenty years old, outside of Gulfstream's service life, and well beyond operational usage hours for a corporate aircraft,' Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs, said in a statement when news of the budget request was first reported. 'This is a matter of safety. Much like the Coast Guard's ships that are well beyond their service life and safe operational usage, Coast Guard's aircraft are too,' she added. 'This Administration is taking action to restore our Nation's finest maritime Armed Service to a capable fighting force.' Coast Guard Adm. Kevin Lunday was grilled about the request when appearing before the House Appropriations Committee earlier this month. 'I was horrified last Friday when we received a last minute addition to your spend plan for fiscal '25, a new $50 million Gulfstream 5 for Secretary Noem's personal travel coming from the Coast Guard budget. She already has a Gulfstream 5, by the way, this is a new one,' said Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.), the top Democrat on the committee's Subcommittee on Homeland Security. Lunday described the plane as 'old, and it's approaching obsolescence and the end of its service life, the avionics are increasingly obsolete, the communications are increasingly unreliable, and it's in need of recapitalization, like much of the rest of the fleet.' Thompson and McIver said the bid for a new plane for Noem echoes President Trump's efforts to secure a new Air Force One from Qatar. 'We know President Trump has set a high bar for wasteful luxury travel by government officials with his unconstitutional attempt to personally acquire a $400 million jet from a foreign government. That does not mean members of his Cabinet must follow suit,' they wrote. 'Your desire to travel in luxury should not eclipse the need for USCG service members to fly safely and conduct lifesaving missions.'
