US House approves $1 trillion defense bill that would boost security ties with Israel

By Reuters and Jacob Magid

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23 July 2026, 2:06 am

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US House Speaker Mike Johnson leaves the chamber as members debate a series of measures including a continuing resolution to fund the government and a spending package for the Iran war, at the Capitol in July 21, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

The US House of Representatives narrowly passes its version of a massive defense policy bill, despite Democrats’ concerns about its huge price tag, the Iran war and a provision that would boost Pentagon ties to Israel.

The fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, which authorizes an unprecedented $1.15 trillion in spending for the military, passes the House by 216 to 212.

The vote is largely along party lines, as all but seven Republicans vote in favor of the measure and all but six Democrats vote against.

The NDAA includes several provisions that allocate hundreds of million of dollars to US-Israel joint military projects.

Progressive Democrats sought to rally against a provision that boosted Israeli-US security cooperation, falsely claiming that it would integrate the countries’ intelligence services.

However, the effort ultimately failed.

Democrats object to the huge amount of money being authorized for the Pentagon, at a time when President Donald Trump and his fellow Republicans are slashing spending on social programs.

They also object to the ongoing and deeply unpopular war with Iran, which the Pentagon said has cost the US $37.5 billion so far.