SerpApi.Org
U.S. lawmakers have passed a version of the huge defense spending policy bill that will determine next year’s funding and priorities for the Pentagon, despite concerns from several Democrats that it will deepen certain links with Israel.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, for the 2027 fiscal year by 216 votes to 212 on Wednesday.
It authorizes more than $1 trillion in military spending, further pulling the U.S. ahead as the world’s biggest defense spender, and comes shortly after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S.’ war against Iran had cost $37.5 billion since February 28.
It also dragged the U.S.’ relationship with Israel into the spotlight, with typically broad support for U.S. ties with Israel jeopardized by growing discomfort with the humanitarian toll of Israel’s war in Gaza.
Israel has strongly denied accusations that it is committing genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip since it launched its invasion of the tiny territory, following Palestinian militant group Hamas’ October 7 attacks on Israel in 2023.
Multiple Democrats, including Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen, had urged other members of the party to block the NDAA until lawmakers could examine the terms of U.S.-Israeli cooperation.
New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said there was a danger the NDAA would “merge parts of our military with the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]” and posed an “existential threat to American sovereignty and democracy.”
Democrat Representative Ro Khanna and Republican Representative Thomas Massie said they would “fight against military integration with Israel.”
Massie had proposed stopping more than $3 billion in U.S. aid to Israel, largely destined for the Israeli military, earlier this month, but the amendment was defeated in a House vote.
American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which lobbies both Democrats and Republicans to tighten up cooperation with Israel, said the provision was “critical” to helping both countries stay ahead of new threats, including in developing new air defenses and counter-drone systems.
“The provision would leverage our partnership with Israel to help give American troops a strategic edge on the battlefield, modernize our military, and ensure the United States has access to cutting-edge technology,” AIPAC said in June.
Israel reported record weapons sales for 2025, which have more than doubled in the past five years as even countries highly critical of the war in Gaza rush to beef up their militaries with equipment tested in battle conditions.
What the NDAA Would Do
The part referring to collaboration with Israel is called Section 219.
In this provision, the U.S. would create a coordinator in the Pentagon to “expand and accelerate” research, testing and development of new technology with Israel. They would also oversee how new systems would slot into the U.S. military and which companies would produce them.
This person would work out which technologies Israel has developed, or the U.S. has helped Israel to build, which could be useful to the U.S. military.
Section 219 also lists several areas in which the U.S. would work more closely with Israel. These are:
- Drone threats of all types, including aerial drones and seaborne unmanned systems
- Anti-tunneling and underground threats
- Air defense
- Artificial intelligence and quantum computing
- Advanced sensors and directed energy
- Electronic warfare and cyber capabilities
- Medical programs and biotechnology
- Fusing data and networks together
- Defense industry
- Other “emerging technologies”
A line of Section 219 also commits the U.S. to joint training exercises with the Israeli military, and sharing information that means both militaries can use technology they develop together.
Hegseth would be required to report back to Congress within 180 days on the progress of work between the two countries.
The Defense Secretary would then submit a yearly report to lawmakers until 2030. The run-down will cover how the closer links have benefited U.S. national security.
Unclassified versions of these reports would be made public, although some parts wouldn’t be published if they contain classified information.
What the NDAA Would Not Do
The text of Section 219 doesn’t create a new joint military force, or make any reference to putting U.S. troops under Israeli commanders. The same is true for Israeli soldiers; there’s no mention of placing them under U.S. command.
There’s no wording in the NDAA which would force the U.S. to fight a war on Israel’s behalf, nor vice versa.
What Comes Next?
The bill will now head to the Senate, before eventually landing on President Donald Trump’s desk for sign-off.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Alfred Joyner and Tony Phillips
Related Articles
