Ocasio-Cortez Criticized for NDAA Comments on U.S.-Israel Military Cooperation

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., faced criticism after stating that the House-passed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) would merge parts of the U.S. military with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). This claim was made in relation to Section 219 of the NDAA, which aims to enhance U.S.-Israel defense integration through cooperation on military technology and joint exercises. The House passed the NDAA on July 23, 2026, with a vote of 219-206, keeping Section 219 intact. Ocasio-Cortez described the provision as an existential threat to American sovereignty and urged Congress to vote against it. In response, Republican lawmakers and officials from the Trump administration criticized her remarks, asserting that the provision does not involve merging the two militaries but rather strengthens defense cooperation. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin and Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., were among those who condemned Ocasio-Cortez's statements. Lawler emphasized that the provision simply expands existing defense cooperation with allies. Some lawmakers opposed to the provision expressed concerns about its scope, with Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., introducing an amendment to remove Section 219, which was not allowed to be voted on. Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., also criticized the lack of a vote on the amendment, stating that Congress should consider proposals to prevent military integration with Israel.