Authorize defense partnership with Israel?
H.R. 1229 would increase security cooperation between the United States and Israel. This bill would establish joint drone programs and research programs on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, etc. The bill also lays out a requirement for the Pentagon to create a Defense Innovation Unit office in Israel. There is an estimated $305 million in new spending through this bill.
Sponsor: Rep. Joe Wilson (Republican, South Carolina, District 2)
View full bill text ➔
How do you feel?
Oppose
Support
Opponents say
• "Though my amendment to strike $3.3 billion in aid to Israel from the State Dept Approps bill did not pass, 104 House Members voted in favor of it. The tide is changing. Americans want their tax dollars to be spent improving things here at home, not waging war and genocide." Source: Rep. Thomas Massie (Republican, Kentucky, District 4) via X
• "We have funneled tens of billions of dollars in military aid to an Israeli government that has consistently violated international law and whose leader is a war criminal. The good news is that the American people are catching on. More and more Americans — Democrats, Republicans and independents — are demanding that we stop all military aid to Israel and use our considerable leverage to end the suffering of the Palestinian people. Enough is enough! Congress must listen to the American people. NO MORE U.S. MILITARY AID TO ISRAEL." Source: Sen. Bernie Sanders (Independent, Vermont) X
Proponents say
• "The U.S.-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025 will ensure that the United States and Israel continue to work together to confront the most diverse and dangerous array of mutual threats we’ve ever faced. This important bill will expand and deepen the bilateral defense partnership between our two nations and scale up joint research and development of key emerging technologies, such as countering unmanned systems, artificial intelligence, and quantum. It is imperative that the U.S. and Israel work together to meet and defeat emerging threats employed by state and non-state actors alike on the battlefield to protect American and Israeli families." Source: Rep. Joe Wilson (South Carolina, District 2)
• "As Israel continues to fight to bring her hostages home from Gaza and finalize defanging the ring of fire Iran spent decades creating around the Jewish state, every Israeli success benefits American national security interests, and brings us closer to peace and stability in the region. The United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act (H.R. 1229/S. 554) expands and enhances the current U.S.-Israel defense relationship in several highly impactful ways and will help keep both nations more secure in an ever-evolving geopolitical landscape." Source: Christians United for Israel (CUFI)
