Take action with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) by urging the U.S. Senate to refuse to authorize or fund President Trump’s illegal, unauthorized, and unprovoked joint U.S.-Israel war on Iran. CAIR is also calling on senators to remove Section 1217 from the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and reject provisions mandating expanded technology or intelligence sharing with the Israeli government.
CAIR’s action alert will also urge House members to pressure their Senate colleagues, fight these provisions at every remaining stage of the legislative process, and oppose any final bill that retains them. The House moved these dangerous policies forward, but its vote did not settle the matter. The Senate still has the authority and responsibility to stop them.
The House narrowly passed H.R. 8800, its version of the FY2027 NDAA, by a vote of 216-212. The legislation authorizes approximately $1.15 trillion in defense-related spending and retains Section 219, which would establish a “United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative.” Two hundred and five Democrats and seven Republicans- including Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) – voted against final passage.
Earlier this month, Representatives Massie and Ro Khanna (D-CA) introduced a bipartisan amendment to strike Section 219 in its entirety. The House Rules Committee blocked the amendment from receiving debate or a vote.
Rep. Luna’s Linguistic Sleight of Hand Leaves U.S.-Israel Military Integration Intact
The House instead adopted an amendment offered by Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) that removed “integration” from several places in Section 219. According to A New Policy, however, the amendment did not remove the word where it substantively matters or dismantle the underlying military-cooperation framework. The change was cosmetic and should not be mistaken for the removal of Section 219 or its operative mandates.
The Senate NDAA, S. 4784, contains the parallel Section 1217. It would establish a “United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative” and direct the Department of Defense to expand cooperation with Israel in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cybersecurity, biotechnology, advanced weapons development, military research, and defense-industrial production.
Congress may also attempt to attach intelligence authorization language requiring expanded intelligence sharing with Israel while restricting the ability of future administrations to suspend, reduce, or condition that cooperation.
On July 14, the Senate rejected cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 4784 by a vote of 50-46. The vote delayed consideration but did not end the threat. Senate leadership may seek another vote, making continued public pressure essential.
Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Peter Welch (D-VT) have opposed provisions mandating expanded U.S.-Israel defense technology cooperation, weapons co-production, military research partnerships, and intelligence-sharing arrangements.
Israel already receives approximately $3.8 billion annually in U.S. military assistance under a ten-year memorandum of understanding running through 2028. Since October 2023, Congress has approved billions more in military assistance and weapons transfers. Sections 219 and 1217 would move beyond traditional aid by creating long-term institutional structures linking Israeli defense technology, weapons development, military research, and defense production to U.S. agencies and industries.
By Taking Action With CAIR, You Can Demand That Your Senators:
- Refuse to authorize or fund President Trump’s illegal, unauthorized, and unprovoked joint U.S.-Israel war on Iran.
- Strike Section 1217 and reject provisions mandating expanded technology or intelligence sharing with Israel.
- Oppose cloture or any effort to advance the NDAA without full debate and recorded amendment votes, and vote against final passage if these provisions or authorization for the war remain.
- Protect congressional war powers, American sovereignty, oversight, and future policy flexibility.
You Can Also Demand That Your Representative:
- Pressure senators and congressional leadership and insist that House-Senate negotiators exclude Sections 219 and 1217 and any mandatory intelligence-sharing language.
- Oppose any conference agreement or final NDAA that retains these provisions or authorizes continued war with Iran.
- If such a bill reaches the president’s desk, publicly call for a veto, oppose any override attempt, and continue fighting these policies through every remaining stage.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, [email protected]; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]