The House Rules Committee blocked an amendment proposed by Representatives Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) aimed at cutting U.S. funding to Israel on June 30, 2026. The amendment sought to remove Section 219, titled 'The United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative,' from the National Defense Authorization Act, but was not included in the committee's list of amendments for a vote.
If the amendment had passed, Section 219 would have mandated the Secretary of Defense to designate an executive agent to enhance U.S. and Israeli military technology integration. The committee's decision means that the House will not vote on the removal of this section.
Committee Chair Virginia Foxx (R-NC) oversees which amendments are allowed for consideration. Khanna expressed disappointment over the rejection, stating that Congress has blocked their amendment and emphasized the need to protect American sovereignty.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has supported legislative efforts to transition U.S.-Israel defense cooperation from aid to partnership. Critics of Section 219 argue that it could facilitate Israeli espionage against the U.S. and compromise American independence from foreign influence. The Defense Intelligence Agency has recently classified Israeli espionage as a 'critical' threat.
Additionally, the Senate's proposed Intelligence Authorization Act includes provisions to enhance intelligence sharing with Israel, requiring future presidents to document any decisions to limit cooperation with the country. Massie criticized Section 219 as an escalation of foreign involvement in U.S. military affairs, suggesting it undermines national autonomy.