House passes spending bill that critics say will integrate the US and Israeli militaries
The US House of Representatives Chamber
Michael Arria reports in Mondoweiss on 23 July 2026:
On July 22, the House of Representatives approved the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), H.R. 8800, for fiscal year 2027, which includes a provision expanding defense cooperation and integration between the United States and Israel.
The vote was 216-212, largely along party lines, but six Democrats joined the Republican majority: Reps. Henry Cuellar D-TX), Don Davis (D-NC), Jared Golden (D-ME), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Adam Gray (D-CA), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA).
The bill included a provision titled Section 219 which would “expand and enhance intelligence sharing” with Israel, establish joint ventures for the co-production of weapons, promote joint military exercises, and integrate Israeli weapons into existing U.S. systems and programs. Critics say it amounts to integrating the U.S. and Israeli militaries.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) introduced an amendment to remove Section 219 from the legislation, but the House Rules Committee blocked debate on it. Massie was the only House Republican to vote against H.R. 8800.
Human rights groups and lawmakers have been sounding the alarm over the proposal and are fighting to have it removed from the final version of the NDAA.