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Rep. Mike Rogers blasts ‘misinformation’ on Israel: ‘The best ally the United States has’
The Alabama congresswoman who heads the powerful House Armed Services Committee warned that “misinformation” is “running rampant” about a provision in the defense spending bill outlining military cooperation between the United States and Israel.
The latest National Defense Authorization Act being debated in the House includes a provision introduced by Reps. Mike Rogers, R-Saks, and Adam Smith, D-Wash., requiring Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to name an official to coordinate cooperation between the U.S. and Israel on military matters.
“Israel is far and away the best ally the United States has in the Middle East, and our cooperative programs with them strengthen our national security by giving our warfighters access to cutting edge technologies. Section 224 of the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2027 doesn’t create any new programs within the Department of Defense,” Rogers tweeted Tuesday.
The provision, Rogers went on to say, “simply adds transparency and improves efficiency by designating a single official to coordinate existing initiatives.”
Section 224 has been criticized by House members who oppose the Iran war who claim the provision infringes on U.S. sovereignty.
“If the provision in the NDAA to integrate/synchronize the U.S. and Israeli militaries (section 224) makes it out of committee, I’ll offer an amendment to strip it from the bill on the floor,” tweeted Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky. “We are a sovereign country.”
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., also said he would seek the provision’s removal.
But Rogers said critics are misconstruing the provision.
“In no way does it give away command and control of our military operations, personnel, or equipment. Misinformation in relation to Israel and our close partnership with them has always run rampant, and bad actors are all too happy to stoke these flames when given the opportunity,” Rogers said.
“Any narrative that this legislation is somehow ceding control to another country in any way is categorically false and misleading. The NDAA strengthens American sovereignty and American national security first and foremost,” he continued.