WASHINGTON, July 9 - A group of Democratic senators is calling on their colleagues to withhold support for this year’s major military spending measure until the Senate formally considers proposals to deepen defense and intelligence ties with Israel.
The appeal, organized by Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, asks senators to oppose advancing the National Defense Authorization Act, commonly known as the NDAA, until lawmakers have an opportunity to debate measures that would strengthen U.S.-Israel military and intelligence cooperation.
The move signals mounting unease inside the Democratic caucus over U.S. backing for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Support for Israel has become increasingly contentious among Democrats ahead of November’s midterm elections, the letter said, with some members questioning a policy that long enjoyed bipartisan support.
"As Senate Democrats, we should not be providing votes compelling him (President Donald Trump) to deepen the U.S. relationship with Netanyahu’s extremist government," they wrote in a "Dear Colleague" letter.
Polling data cited in the letter underscores the political context for the request. A Reuters/Ipsos poll last month found that one in four Americans believed the war with Iran was worth its costs. The same polling showed Israel’s favorability rating among Democrats fell from 59% in 2018 to 22% in May.
Other signatories to the letter include Democratic Senators Jeff Merkley of Oregon, and Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, as well as Bernie Sanders of Vermont, an independent who caucuses with Democrats.
Congress is currently drafting the annual NDAA, the vehicle that authorizes large portions of the president’s proposed $1.5 trillion military budget. Versions of the bill approved by House and Senate committees already contain provisions aimed at deepening U.S.-Israel defense cooperation.
Alongside the NDAA, an early draft of the fiscal 2027 Intelligence Authorization Act - which is typically attached to the NDAA - would also tighten intelligence ties with Israel, according to the Van Hollen-led letter.
The senators’ request represents an effort to force consideration of these measures on the Senate floor before votes on advancing the NDAA proceed, reflecting both policy concerns and political calculations as the midterm campaign season advances.