House Passes $1.15 Trillion NDAA With Israel Defense-Tech Provision as $3.8 Billion Aid Model Faces Pushback
Updated
Updated · TIME · Aug 6
House Passes $1.15 Trillion NDAA With Israel Defense-Tech Provision as $3.8 Billion Aid Model Faces Pushback
2 articles · Updated · TIME · Aug 6
Summary
The House approved an NDAA provision that would formalize a deeper U.S.-Israel defense-technology partnership, even as Congress debates whether to move away from direct military aid.
The measure in the $1.15 trillion defense bill would have the Pentagon accelerate joint research, procurement and co-production with Israel in areas including AI and cybersecurity, without creating a joint command or new aid authority.
That push comes as the current $3.8 billion-a-year U.S. military funding arrangement expires in 2028 and Netanyahu, Ambassador Mike Huckabee and some lawmakers back replacing aid with a more reciprocal security framework.
Critics including Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez say deeper integration could embed Israeli technology in Pentagon supply chains, reduce congressional scrutiny and give Israel leverage over U.S. defense decisions.
The Senate has similar language in its bill, but the broader NDAA faces a difficult path after Senate Democrats blocked a July 14 motion to begin debate and have not yet voted on a renewed July 27 motion.