Representatives Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA) are seeking to remove a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act that mandates the appointment of a lead official by War Secretary Pete Hegseth to coordinate U.S.-Israel defense efforts. This provision includes aspects such as technology research, development, testing, evaluation, integration, and industrial cooperation. The push for integration follows joint military actions against Iran earlier this year.
Massie and Khanna, who have previously collaborated on legislative efforts, plan to introduce amendments to eliminate this provision during committee discussions or on the House floor. Massie expressed his intent to challenge the provision if it progresses out of the House Armed Services Committee, emphasizing U.S. sovereignty.
Khanna, a committee member, also indicated he would propose an amendment during the committee's markup session. In response to Massie's comments, Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) criticized the opposition to the provision, labeling it as misguided and suggesting it would enhance U.S. access to advanced Israeli technologies.
