The House of Representatives on Wednesday narrowly passed the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
The $1.15 trillion defense bill passed in a 216-212 vote.
The legislation includes a controversial provision that expands cooperation between the U.S. and Israeli militaries.
"Final vote total for the NDAA today which tragically merges our military technology and supply chains with Israel’s. Let’s hope this version fails in the Senate because Section 219 is a betrayal of our sovereignty," Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) commented.
Final vote total for the NDAA today which tragically merges our military technology and supply chains with Israel’s. Let’s hope this version fails in the Senate because Section 219 is a betrayal of our sovereignty. pic.twitter.com/FtIukTzblR
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) July 22, 2026
Fox News explained further:
The annual bill, which sets Pentagon policy and typically draws broad bipartisan support, received only six Democratic votes as much of the caucus objected to Section 219 and Republican-backed amendments restricting transgender care and easing access to personal guns on military bases.
ADVERTISEMENTOpposition came from a coalition of progressive Democrats and Republican skeptics of U.S. support for Israel, who accused congressional leaders of shielding the provision from scrutiny after lawmakers were denied a separate vote to remove it.
The fight erupted as support for Israel has weakened among House Democrats and some "America First" Republicans during the war in Gaza and the widening conflict with Iran. Just one week earlier, 103 Democrats joined Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., in voting to block $3.3 billion in U.S. aid to Israel.
For opponents, Section 219 would move the relationship in the opposite direction by embedding U.S.-Israel cooperation more deeply inside the Pentagon’s weapons-development and acquisition system. The provision would direct the war secretary to designate a Pentagon "executive agent" to coordinate and accelerate bilateral defense research, testing and industrial cooperation.
Critics argued that structure would make the relationship harder for future administrations or Congresses to unwind and could shift parts of the partnership away from highly visible aid votes into less visible technology, procurement and production arrangements. Supporters said it would coordinate longstanding programs and give the United States faster access to Israeli defense technology.
"Unfortunately the Rule passed just now and no debate or vote was allowed on section 219, integration of US military technology and supply chains with Israel’s. The NDAA will receive a recorded vote tomorrow with section 219 in it. I’ll vote no," Massie said on Tuesday.
Unfortunately the Rule passed just now and no debate or vote was allowed on section 219, integration of US military technology and supply chains with Israel’s.
The NDAA will receive a recorded vote tomorrow with section 219 in it. I’ll vote no.
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) July 21, 2026
"We don't have this kind of bilateral agreement with any other country," Massie said.
"This project will have a lifespan that outlasts the commander in chief, regardless of who the next president is," he added.
Watch below:
Thomas Massie issues one last warning to Americans about the dangers of Section 219, which would permanently merge the United States and Israeli military supply chains and outlast any presidency.
This would permanently integrate the U.S. military supply chains with Israel's.… pic.twitter.com/AkAFjtuzCb
— Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) July 22, 2026
The Hill has more:
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) expands U.S. defense production capacity, raises all servicemembers’ pay by five to seven percent, authorizes $1.8 billion for barracks and family housing, and expands access to education and childcare for military families. The legislation authorizes $56 billion for aircraft development, including for next-generation fighter jets, B-21 Raiders, P-8 maritime patrol planes, F-35s, Chinook and Blackhawk helicopters.
It greenlights over $60 billion in funding for construction and support of a fourth Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine, two Virginia-class submarines and two Arleigh-Burke class destroyers. The bill also codifies a number of Trump administration executive orders, including building the Golden Dome, one of President Trump’s top defense priorities.
ADVERTISEMENTSpeaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) after the vote lauded the bill as one that would “ensure America maintains the most lethal, most dynamic, most capable fighting force in the world. This year’s NDAA builds on key investments in the Working Families Tax Cuts as Republicans lead the charge to restore America’s military dominance and rebuild the arsenal of freedom.”
“In an increasingly dangerous world, we are reminded of President Reagan’s admonition that freedom is not passed along in the bloodstream; it must be fought for and protected so the next generation may enjoy the same level of security and opportunity we have known. And that starts in Congress. Safeguarding our liberties by providing for our common defense is one of our most basic responsibilities as elected representatives, and this year’s NDAA meets the moment,” he added in a statement.
The bill will also be attached to the SAVE America Act, President Trump’s voter ID bill, before being sent to the Senate, a process known as MIRVing.
