NDAA Update Oct 23, 2026: Ro Khanna to urge negotiators to pull U.S.-Israel cooperation provisions from defense bill

Ro Khanna to urge negotiators to pull U.S.-Israel cooperation provisions from defense bill

Jewish Insider · Oct 23, 2026

Marc Rod reports that Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and a group of at least 30 Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate are set to urge House and Senate leaders negotiating the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act to strip out a provision regarding U.S.-Israel cooperation, according to a draft of the letter viewed by Jewish Insider. Khanna's effort to remove the provision in the House Armed Services Committee was defeated by a voice vote, and House Republicans did not permit a vote on an amendment by Khanna and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) when the bill came to the House floor. The letter, gathering signatures through Nov. 6, appeals to the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees to strip the provision, versions of which are in both the House and Senate bills. It describes the provision as creating an "unprecedented integration of the United States defense industry with the defense industry of a foreign nation" and states, "These provisions would significantly reduce Congress' oversight of the U.S.-Israel defense relationship." If the provision is not removed entirely, the letter urges annual reauthorization, human rights conditions, and a counterintelligence certification before any technology transfer. The provision is based on the U.S.-Israel FUTURES Act. Supporters have emphasized that it would create no new programs nor provide for greater integration of the U.S. and Israeli militaries, and that it requires regular transparency reports to Congress and the public. Current signatories include Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA), Andre Carson (D-IN), Greg Casar (D-TX) and Joaquin Castro (D-TX).