“As you prepare to conference the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA), we respectfully urge you to exclude three provisions from the final bill that would further entrench concerning aspects of the US-Israel defence and intelligence relationship,” the lawmakers wrote in a joint letter on Tuesday.
Twelve U.S. senators are pushing back against legislative efforts to deepen military and intelligence ties with Israel, formally requesting that congressional leaders strip three specific provisions from the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
The letter, dated November 10, was signed by 11 Democratic senators and independent Senator Bernie Sanders. The lawmakers argue that at a time when the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza, the West Bank, and the wider region are increasingly at odds with American interests and values, codifying deeper cooperation is a strategic misstep.
The signatories include incoming Majority Whip Brian Schatz and incoming Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray, alongside Senators Elizabeth Warren, Peter Welch, Ed Markey, Jeff Merkley, Tina Smith, Tammy Duckworth, Ron Wyden, and Andy Kim.
Contested Technology Cooperation Initiatives
At the center of the dispute are Section 1217 of the Senate Armed Services Committee’s bill and Section 219 of the House-passed measure. Both seek to establish a “United States-Israel Defence Technology Cooperation Initiative.” This program is designed to fast-track bilateral co-production and technology transfers in sectors ranging from artificial intelligence and quantum computing to cyberwarfare and biotechnology.
The senators contend that Washington does not typically share or co-produce such sensitive technologies even with its closest treaty allies in NATO. They argue that the provisions would “threaten U.S. national security interests by handing leverage over American weapons systems and military technology,” according to the Jewish Insider.
The letter further notes that President Donald Trump already possesses sufficient authority under existing statutes to negotiate bilateral accords without a new congressional mandate, rendering the proposed legislation redundant.
Senators Seek to Protect Presidential Discretion over Intelligence Sharing
Beyond defense technology, the group is calling for the removal of Section 618 from the Intelligence Authorization Act, a measure currently slated for inclusion in the final NDAA. This provision would mandate expanded intelligence sharing with the Israeli government, explicitly stipulating that such cooperation could not be “suspended, reduced, or otherwise materially limited.”
The senators argue that this language would strip the president of the necessary discretion to limit intelligence transfers if U.S. national security interests require it. Reporting from UA.News highlights that the lawmakers cited concerns regarding counterintelligence risks, noting that the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency has previously elevated its risk assessment regarding Israel to the highest level.
The Jerusalem Post reports that for the senators, the core issue is whether institutionalizing these arrangements permanently cedes America’s freedom to make independent national security decisions.
Disputed Clauses Threaten Congressional Oversight and U.S. Policy Control
The opposition to these provisions reflects a broader debate over how the U.S. manages its security partnership with Israel. The senators’ letter suggests that the disputed clauses are an attempt to subvert congressional oversight and increase Israeli control over U.S. weapons systems.
They point to the prior Israeli decision to block the transfer of American-made Iron Dome batteries to Ukraine as a cautionary example of how bilateral agreements can constrain U.S. policy.
Support for the push has come from various advocacy groups, including J Street and the IMEU Policy Project. J Street stated, “No deepening of our military relationship with Israel unless they comply with the Gaza peace agreement, end settler violence and reverse their de facto annexation of the West Bank,” as noted by the Jewish Insider.
Meanwhile, companion efforts are underway in the House, where Representative Ro Khanna is leading a similar letter to urge the removal of the cooperation provisions.
The request arrives as congressional leaders prepare to conference the final version of the NDAA, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown over the future of U.S.-Israel military integration.
Additional Context on Legislative Disputes
The group of a dozen Senate Democrats was led by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), who wrote to House and Senate leaders on Tuesday regarding the removal of the military and intelligence cooperation provisions.
The proposed initiative would encompass research and joint weapons production in autonomous systems and cyber operations, in addition to biotechnology, quantum technologies, and artificial intelligence.
