Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez claims NDAA would merge US military with IDF

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-Y., came under fire after claiming that the House-passed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) would “combine parts of our military with the Israel Defense Forces,” prompting accusations that she distorted what the law actually did.

The conflict centers on Section 219 of the House-passed National Defense Authorization Act, which calls for deeper U.S.-Israeli defense integration through expanded cooperation on military technology, supply chains, research, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and joint exercises.

On Wednesday, the House passed its version of the FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act by a vote of 219-206, leaving Section 219 intact.

But before the vote, Ocasio-Cortez wrote to X that the NDAA “contains a provision to merge parts of our military with the IDF.”

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“This amendment is an existential threat to American sovereignty and democracy,” he wrote. “Every member of Congress must vote NO.”

Ocasio-Cortez’s post was quickly criticized by Republican lawmakers and Trump administration officials, who argued that the measure strengthens defense cooperation with Israel but does not unite the two militaries.

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin called the claim “FALSE,” accusing the congressman of misrepresenting the bill.

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Rep. Mike Lawler, R-Y., speaks with reporters as he arrives at the House Republican conference meeting at the U.S. Capitol on May 15, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

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Rep. Mike Lawler, D-R.Y., similarly attacked Ocasio-Cortez, urging her to “stop fueling Jew hatred.”

“Unfortunately, you are either stupid or deliberately lying. We are not merging our military with the IDF,” Lawler wrote.

Lawler argued that the provision expands the type of defense cooperation the United States already maintains with close allies, including intelligence sharing, joint military exercises and collaborative weapons development.

While Republicans objected to Ocasio-Cortez’s statement, some lawmakers who opposed the provision also expressed concerns about its scope but framed it differently.

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., introduced an amendment to remove Section 219 from the law, but House leadership did not allow it to receive a vote. After the procedural rule was adopted, Massie announced that he would oppose the entire defense bill.

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Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., speaks to members of the media outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, June 25, 2026. (Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“Unfortunately, the Rule was just passed and no discussion or vote was allowed on section 219, the integration of US military technology and supply chains with those of Israel,” Massie wrote on X. “The NDAA will have a recorded vote tomorrow, including section 219. I will vote no.”

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California Rep. Ro Khanna, who partnered with Massie on the amendment, also criticized House leadership for blocking the vote, writing that Congress was blocking consideration of a proposal to stop “our military’s integration with Israel.”

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Khanna wrote to X: “Even not voting is unconscionable.” “We will continue our path and will not be intimidated by the pro-Israel lobby.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to Ocasio-Cortez’s office for comment.