Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez faced backlash after claiming the National Defense Authorization Act would merge U.S. military operations with the Israel Defense Forces, prompting sharp responses from Republican lawmakers.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., has come under intense scrutiny following her assertion that the House-passed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) would “merge parts of our military with the Israel Defense Forces.” Her comments have sparked accusations of misrepresentation from Republican lawmakers.
The controversy revolves around Section 219 of the NDAA, which aims to enhance U.S.-Israel defense integration through increased collaboration on military technology, supply chains, research, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and joint military exercises. The House approved its version of the FY2027 NDAA with a narrow 219-206 vote, keeping Section 219 intact.
Before the vote, Ocasio-Cortez took to social media platform X to express her concerns, stating that the NDAA “includes a provision to merge parts of our military with the IDF.” She characterized the amendment as an “existential threat to American sovereignty and democracy,” urging all members of Congress to vote against it.
Her remarks quickly drew sharp criticism from Republican lawmakers and former Trump administration officials, who argued that the measure is designed to strengthen defense cooperation with Israel without merging the two militaries. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin labeled her claim as “FALSE,” accusing Ocasio-Cortez of distorting the bill’s intent.
In a pointed response on X, Zeldin suggested that instead of merging her negative perceptions, Ocasio-Cortez should focus on understanding the legislative text. “Instead of merging the part of your brain that hates Jews with the part of your brain concocting your daily lies, you should try merging the part of your brain responsible for reading bill text with the part of your brain responsible for critical thinking,” he wrote.
Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., also criticized Ocasio-Cortez, urging her to “stop stoking Jew hatred.” He emphasized that the provision simply expands existing defense cooperation between the United States and its allies, which includes intelligence sharing, joint military exercises, and collaborative weapons development.
While Republicans have disputed Ocasio-Cortez’s characterization, some lawmakers who opposed the provision expressed their concerns differently. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., introduced an amendment to remove Section 219 from the legislation, but House leadership did not permit a vote on it. Following the procedural rule’s passage, Massie announced his intention to oppose the entire defense bill.
Massie expressed his frustration on X, stating, “Unfortunately the Rule passed just now and no debate or vote was allowed on section 219, integration of US military technology and supply chains with Israel’s. The NDAA will receive a recorded vote tomorrow with section 219 in it. I’ll vote no.”
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., who collaborated with Massie on the amendment, criticized House leadership for blocking a vote on the matter. He asserted that Congress had prevented consideration of a proposal aimed at halting “the integration of our military with Israel’s.” Khanna described the lack of a vote as “unconscionable,” adding that they would not be intimidated by the pro-Israel lobby.
Fox News Digital reached out to Ocasio-Cortez’s office for comment but did not receive a response.
According to Fox News, the debate surrounding the NDAA highlights the ongoing tensions within Congress regarding U.S.-Israel relations and the implications of military cooperation.