FMEP Legislative Round-Up June 19, 2026

Resource

1. Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters & Reports
3. Hearings & Markups
4. Selected Members on the Record
5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

My comment on the continuing top story this week:

  • Section 1 of this Round-Up looks at three key pieces of must-pass legislation now moving through the Congress: the first is the full details of the Senate version of the FY27 NDAA; the second is the long list of proposed Middle East/Israel-related amendments to the House version of the FY27 NDAA; and the third is the long list of proposed Middle East/Israel-related amendments to the FY27 appropriations bill funding the State Department and foreign policy/national security functions of the US government.
  • A clear through-line connecting all of these bills and lists of amendments is the effort in Congress to use every available legislative vehicle as an engine to expand/deepen US-Israeli military cooperation, coordination, operations, inter-operability/inter-dependence, procurements, and integration — in a manner that will be very difficult for any future Congress or president to unwind.
  • Together these measures seek to codify the transformation of Israel from a foreign state that enjoys US support & aid, into an actor whose interests, prerogatives, and entitlements are enmeshed, by law, with those of the US, such that Israel is legally woven into the fabric of U.S. national security apparatus functions — where its position will not only be less vulnerable to changing political tides (compared to today), but also even less transparent and accountable.
  • Whether you love or hate this effort, the fact is: vital US national security equities are in play & are being decided not via rigorous, transparent, informed deliberation/debate, but via text slipped into must-pass bills & defended, disingenuously, as non-consequential.

Also see media coverage of this legislative effort:

1. Bills & Resolutions

NOTE: The US government website that documents/posts everything about legislation in Congress – congress.gov – is apparently experiencing a glitch this week. As of 6/19/26 at 10:30am EST, that website has not been updated since June 16th and various search functions are not working at all. Which is to say, if I left anything out of this week’s  (massive) Round-Up, I’ll include it next week (assuming congress.gov is functioning again).

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(FY27 SENATE NDAA) S. 4784 [bill text]: Introduced 6/16/26 by Wicker (R-MS), the “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 (NDAA)”. Last week’s Round-Up covered the Senate NDAA based on the Committee’s summary of the bill. This week, the actual bill was released. Also see the Committee’s Executive Summary and Report Language. Middle East/Israel-related elements of that bill and the Report are as follows:

INCREASED US-ISRAEL MILITARY COOPERATION/INTEGRATION

  • Section 845 – “Report on the feasibility and advisability of establishing a strategic partnership on defense industrial priorities between the United States and Israel.” From the Report: “The committee recommends a provision that would direct the Secretary of Defense to submit a report with a plan, not later than March 30, 2027, to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives for the establishment of a partnership between the Department of Defense and the appropriate counterparts of the Government of Israel in order to enhance market opportunities for United States-based and Israel-based defense technology companies, among other purposes.“
  • Section 925 – “Civil-Military Coordination Center” –HUGE section starting with: “(a) AUTHORIZATION.—The Secretary of Defense may maintain and continue to operate, until December 31, 2027, the Civil-Military Coordination Center established by the Secretary before the date of the enactment of this Act (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Center’’), as (1) an implementation body for the Board of Peace that oversees the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, dated September 29, 2025; and (2) a joint civil-military coordination body with in the Department of Defense. (b) PLAN FOR CONTINUING OPERATIONS.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than March 1,2027, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a plan detailing the requirements for the Center to serve as a joint civil-military coordination body within the Department of Defense for activities related to Israel and the territory of the Gaza Strip in order to support the planning and coordination of civil-military activities relating to security, stabilization, and reconstruction efforts in Gaza.”]
  • Section 1204 – “Abraham Accords Defense Cooperation Initiative.” From the Report: “The committee recommends a provision that directs the Secretary of Defense to establish an initiative to bolster defense cooperation among the United States and signatories of the Abraham Accords, as well as any regional, Arab, or Muslim-majority country that has sought to normalize relations with the State of Israel since 2020.“
  • Section 1215 – “Modification of United States-Israel subterranean operations cooperation.” [To broaden cooperation between the United States and Israel on subterranean operations.]
  • Section 1216 – “Modification of United States-Israel cooperation to counter unmanned systems in all warfighting domains.” From the Report: “The committee recommends a provision that would amend section 1278(b)(4) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116-92) to increase, by $30.0 million, funding for United States-Israel cooperation for countering unmanned aerial systems.“
  • Section 1217 – “United States-Israel Framework for Upgraded Technologies, Unified Research, and Enhanced Security (FUTURES) Act of 2026. HUGE section starting with: “(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNITED STATES–ISRAEL DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION INITIATIVE.—(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Minister of Defense of Israel, shall establish a cooperative initiative, to be known as the ‘’United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative’, to expand and accelerate bilateral defense technology research, development, testing, evaluation, coordination, and industrial cooperation by—(A) identifying jointly developed or Israeli-origin technologies with operational utility for integration into United States systems and programs of record…” From the Report: “The committee recommends a provision that would direct the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Minister of Defense of Israel, to establish a cooperative initiative to be known as the ‘United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative,’ to expand and accelerate bilateral defense technology research, development, testing, evaluation, coordination, and and industrial cooperation between the United States and Israel.“
  • From the Report: “Incorporating lessons learned from allies and enabling international cooperation related to Golden Dome for America — “…the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to brief the congressional defense committees, not later than March 1, 2027, on: (1) How lessons learned from Israeli integrated air and missile defense operations, particularly since October 7, 2023, are being incorporated into doctrinal development central to Golden Dome, ensuring concepts reflect continuous, real-world air defense operations; and (2) An assessment of how the Department of Defense plans to increase bilateral and multilateral cooperation on missile defense technology development, capabilities, and operations with trusted allies under current defense agreements and arrangements, including: (a) How pre-existing allied integrated air and missile defense capabilities, including U.S.-Israel Cooperative Missile Defense Programs and programs under the Trilateral Security Cooperation Framework among the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, can support next-generation integrated air and missile defense architecture; (b) Consistent with section 1214 of the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-159), whether utilizing Israeli air defense systems at scale within the Golden Dome architecture could expand interceptor capacity and coverage at comparable cost to United States-only force designs for theater-level defense capabilities; (c) Recommendations on how to create standard, shared network protocols to assist integration with trusted allies under current defense agreements and arrangements within next-generation integrated air and missile defense architecture; (d) Recommendations to streamline or waive export control and related technology transfer authorities to enable precleared, but closely monitored, development that also protects security and intellectual property of all involved parties; (e) The extent to which Israel’s inclusion in next-generation integrated air and missile defense architecture could serve as a model for a global defense framework with other allies and partners and increase partner burden-sharing and supply chain resiliency; and (f) Any other matters the Secretary considers relevant to further increase bilateral and multilateral cooperation with trusted allies under current defense agreements and arrangements.” [emphasis added]

Military Goodies for Israel

  • Section 1531 – “Iron Dome short-range rocket defense system and Israeli cooperative missile defense program co-development and co-production.” [authorizing: up to $20 million for Iron Dome; $30 million for David’s Sling; $150 million for Arrow; note that the funding table at the end of the bill authorizes a total of $300 million for Israeli cooperative programs].
  • From the funding tables at the end of the bill: $100 million for “U.S.-Israel Cooperation to Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems
  • From the funding tables at the end of the bill: $100 million for “U.S.-Israel Subterranean Operations Cooperation“
  • From the Report: “Expediting the refueling of Israeli aircraft” — “…The committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide, not later than September 30, 2026, to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a briefing that includes an assessment of the aerial refueling operational requirements for the Israeli government during the 12-Day War against Iran in 2025, including: (1) An assessment of the tempo of the Israeli Air Force’s Ram tanker fleet during those 12 days, versus an estimate of what the refueling tempo might have been with two or four KC-46s as part of their tanker fleet; (2) The extent to which any assistance was provided by United States Air Force aerial refueling tankers to support Israeli Air Force operations; (3) The estimated date of delivery to Israel of the remainder of the KC-46 aircraft procured by the Government of Israel to date; and (4) A detailed description of any actions the U.S. Government is taking to expedite the delivery to Israel of KC-46 aircraft procured by the Israeli government, while minimizing adverse impacts to United States defense readiness, including strategic forces readiness and any additional actions the U.S. Government could take to expedite such delivery.” [emphasis added]

Jordan, Lebanon, & Syria

  • Section 1201 – “Authority to provide assistance to military forces of Jordan.“
  • Section 1211 – “Assistance to Lebanese Armed Forces for countering Hezbollah and other terrorist groups.” From the Report: “The committee recommends a provision that would authorize $36.0 million for the Lebanese Armed Forces to counter Hezbollah, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, al-Qaeda, the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and all United States-designated terrorist organizations in Lebanon. The provision would condition this support on the Lebanese Armed Forces’ willingness to confront and disarm Hezbollah.”
  • Section 1212 – “Extension of authority for reimbursement of certain coalition nations for support provided to United States military operations.“
  • Section 1213 – “Extension and modification of authority to provide assistance to vetted Syrian groups and individuals.”
  • Section 1214 – “Extension and modification of authority to provide assistance to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.”
  • From the funding tables at the end of the bill: COUNTER-ISIL TRAIN AND EQUIP FUND (CTEF), authorizing funding for Iraq ($118,899,000), Syria ($130 million), Lebanon ($36 million), and Jordan ($18.2 million)
  • From the funding tables at the end of the bill: $1 million for Cyber cooperation with the Kingdom of Jordan 
  • From the Report: “Appreciation for Iraqi and Syrian Kurdish Partners in Countering Islamic State of Iraq and Syria“ — [excerpt – ” the committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing, not later than October 1, 2026, on the performance of the Syrian government in countering terrorist groups and actors within Syria, including foreign terrorists…the committee further directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a briefing, not later than October 1, 2026, to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives on: (1) The Department’s plans for the Counter-ISIS Train and Equip Fund; (2) The rationale for not including such funds in the budget request; and (3) Plans to improve the ability of the Kurdish Peshmerga forces to support counterterrorism operations with the Iraqi Security Forces and the United States.“]
  • From the Report: “Assessment of Hezbollah” — “To better understand the security environment in southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah’s de facto control has been virtually uncontested by the legitimate Lebanese government for approximately 2 decades, the committee directs the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency to provide a briefing to the Senate Armed Services Committee, not later than January 1, 2027, assessing changes in the security environment in southern Lebanon from October 8, 2023, to the present day…“

Iran

  • From the Report: “MOTION: To include a provision to prohibit the use of funds for military operations and activities against Iran until Congress authorizes the use of military force against Iran, and to prohibit the use of operation and maintenance funds for the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s travel expenses until the congressional defense committees receive a report on the manner in which military operations and activities against Iran since February 28, 2026 affect the readiness of U.S. armed forces. VOTE: Failed by roll call vote 13-14.  In favor: Senators Reed, Shaheen, Gillibrand, Blumenthal, Hirono, Kaine, King, Warren, Peters, Duckworth, Rosen, Kelly, and Slotkin.  Opposed: Senators Wicker, Fischer, Cotton, Rounds, Ernst, Sullivan, Cramer, Scott, Tuberville, Budd, Schmitt, Banks, Sheehy, and Moody“

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(FY27 HOUSE NDAA) HR 8800: On 6/11/26 the House Rules Committee announced that the Committee “may meet the week of June 29th to provide for floor consideration of H.R. 8800, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027,” with proposed amendments due by 6/18/26. [For coverage of Middle East/Israel provisions in the bill, as approved by the House Armed Services Committee, see the 6/5/26 edition of the Round-Up.] This announcement opened the floodgates for amendments — 1120 have been submitted as of 10:30am ET on 6/19/26).  Many are not germane (i.e., they have nothing to do with the underlying bill); most will not make it out of committee to be considered on the House floor (let alone passed as part of the bill), needing a majority vote in Rules Committee to advance. Yet, as always it is smart to pay attention to all amendments offered to bills like this, as these amendments offer valuable insights into the priorities and intentions of members.

Amendments related to Israel and the Middle East proposed as of 6/19/26 at 10:30am ET are:

Topic Amdt # + Link Intro’d by Description/summary Status
Israel Amdt #2 Massie (R-KY), Khanna (D-CA), McGovern (D-MA) “Revised Strikes section 219 (previously section 224), titled “United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative.” This section would integrate Israel into the Pentagon’s most sensitive research, development, testing, evaluation, and data-sharing efforts, including artificial intelligence, directed energy, cyber defense, biotechnology, network integration, and data fusion, while incorporating Israel into United States defense systems and programs of record.” Submitted
Gulf Amdt #71 Lawler (R-NY) “Extends diplomatic privileges to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), allowing the organization to establish a foreign mission to the U.S. to be located in Washington, D.C.” Submitted
Israel / Greece / Cyrpus

 

 Amdt #108 Malliotakis (R-NY), Kean (R-NJ), Goldman (D-NY), Gottheimer (D-NJ) “Establishes U.S.-Israel-Greece-Cyprus (“3+1″) counterterrorism and maritime security training programs and authorizes funding for related facilities, equipment, training, and support activities. Requires implementation reports, strategic strategies, and congressional briefings on counterterrorism and maritime security cooperation” Substantively identical to HR 2510 (119th Congress), the
“American-Hellenic-Israeli Eastern Mediterranean Counterterrorism and Maritime Security Partnership Act of 2025”		 Submitted
Iran Amdt #123 Tenney (R-NY) “Requires a report on IRGC Operatives serving in diplomatic or consular roles abroad.” Submitted
Greater Israel (“Judea & Samaria” Amdt #124 Tenney (R-NY) “Prohibits funding for materials that refer to Judea and Samaria by ‘the West Bank.'” Submitted
Targeting US Civil Society via attenuated/alleged China links Amdt #125 Tenney (R-NY) “Restricts the ability of covered entities (owned, directed, controlled, financed, or influenced directly or indirectly by the Government of the People’s Republic of China, the CCP, or the Chinese military) from using federal funds from engaging, entering into, and awarding public works contracts.” Submitted
Targeting UN & Palestinians Amdt #127 Baird (R-IN) “Amends Section 410 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, FY 1994 and FY 1995, to change limitations to U.S. funding of the United Nations, if the Palestine Liberation Organization is granted any status, rights, or privileges beyond observer status in the United Nations or subsequent agencies.” Identical to HR 3208 (119th Congress), the “No Official Palestine Entry Act of 2025″ Submitted
Syria Amdt #141 Hill (R-AR) and Moskowitz (D-FL) “Updates the Captagon strategy to reflect Syria and the region post-Assad. Requires the Secretary of State to develop an interagency strategy to counter, disrupt, and dismantle narcotics production and trafficking and affiliated networks.” Submitted
Turkey Amdt #149 Titus (D-NV) and Self (R-TX) “Revised Requires certification regarding arms sales to the Republic of Turkey.” Submitted
CRIMINALIZING BOYCOTTS OF ISRAEL, INCL BOYCOTTS OF SETTLEMENTS (aka Israel Anti-Boycott Act, aka IGO Anti-Boycott Act) Amdt #151 Lawler (R-NY), Salazar (R-FL), Gottheimer (D-NJ), Tenney (NY), Messmer (R-IN), Davis (D-NC), Stauber (R-MN) “Extends existing anti-boycott protections to international governmental organizations (IGOs), such as the UN. These protections are already in place for boycotts instigated by foreign countries.” Submitted
Russia in the Mideast Amdt #155 Wilson (R-SC) and Panetta (D-CA) “Authorizes activities to counter Russia in the Middle East and the Balkans.” Submitted
Gaza Amdt #165 Ramirez (D-IL) “Prohibits Department of Defense funds for and participation in the International Stabilization Force (authorized under UNSC Resolution 2803) unless and until Congress enacts specific statutory authorization consistent with the War Powers Resolution.” Submitted
Gaza accountability Amdt #167 Tlaib (D-MI) “Prohibits funds and security assistance to any government, armed group, or entity that has committed war crimes, including attacks on hospitals and medical personnel, UN facilities and personnel, refugee camps, aid workers, or journalists, as well as the crime of forcible transfer or impeding the delivery of humanitarian aid.” Submitted
Israel Amdt #173 Tlaib (D-MI) “Strikes section 219 (formerly known as section 224), the United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative, which would deeply integrate the U.S. and Israeli militaries and defense industries more than ever before.” Submitted
Israel/Abraham Accords Amdt #177 Tlaib (D-MI) “Strikes Section 1707, which would establish the United States-Abraham Accords Defense Cooperation Initiative. This Initiative would further increase military cooperation between the United States and the militaries of countries including the UAE, Bahrain, and Israel.” Submitted
Iran Amdt #182 Keating (D-MA), Wilson (R-SC), Meeks (D-NY) “Requires State Department and Commerce Department strategies to combat the use of US and European technology in Iranian-made drones. Substantively identical to sections 4(a) and 4(b) of H.R.2505 which passed the House on suspension in June 2026.” Submitted
Iran Amdt #233 Ansari (D-AZ) and Lawler (R-NY) “Requires a report on the use of Artificial Intelligence in military strikes on Iran, including operational effectiveness, accuracy, and reliability.” Submitted
Gaza Amdt #258 Self (R-TX) “Establishes a Sense of Congress that the Gaza Health Ministry is an unreliable source of information. Identical to Self Amendment #82 to H.R. 5300 (HFAC Markup in 119th Congress – https://docs.house.gov/Committee/Calendar/ByEvent.aspx?EventID=118618).” Submitted
Iran Amdt #268 Amo (D-RI) and Magaziner (D-RI) “Requires a GAO study on how the war in Iran and tariffs have impacted the price of food and fertilizer.” Submitted
West Bank Settlements Amdt #309 Nadler (D-NY) “Requires a report that assesses the status of Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank.” Submitted
Israel Amdt #319 Nunn (R-IA), Davis (D-NC), Gottheimer (D-NJ) “Directs the Secretary of Defense to work with our counterparts in the Israeli Ministry of Defense to establish a DIU field office within Israeli territory. This effort is a continuation of 22 U.S.C. §8606, the Strategic Partnership on Defense Industrial Priorities Between the United States and Israel.” Submitted
Israel Amdt #338 Tlaib (D-MI) “Prohibits the use of funds for the production, filling, transfer, or use of white phosphorus munitions.” Submitted
Targeting Free Speech/Protest Re: Israel Amdt #362 Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Tenney (R-NY) “Requires the Secretary of Defense to certify that no Department of Defense contractor participates in the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Movement against Israel.” Submitted
Oman Amdt #364 Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Shreve (R-IN) “Requires an annual report to Congress on Oman’s cooperation with Iran and its proxies and conditions security assistance to Oman on a certification that Oman has not materially cooperated with Iran or its proxies in the preceding 12 months.” Submitted
UN/Hezbollah Amdt #365 Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Tenney (R-NY) “Prohibits the use of funds for contributions to the United Nations until the President certifies to Congress that the UN Security Council has designated Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations.” Submitted
Iran Amdt #369 Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Tenney (R-NY) “Directs a report on the involvement of Iran, Russia, and China in financing, directing, or amplifying antisemitic activity in the United States, including through influence operations and physical threats.” Submitted
Turkey Amdt #374 Gottheimer (D-NJ), Malliotakis (R-NY), Goldman (D-NY), Kean (R-NJ) “Prohibits the transfer of defense articles to Turkey until the Secretary of State reports to Congress on steps taken to address Turkey’s territorial violations against NATO members and Cyprus, purchases of adversary defense systems, occupation of Cyprus, and attacks on U.S. servicemembers.” Submitted
Gaza Amdt #376 Sherman (D-CA) “Designates the Popular Resistance Committees as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist organization. The Popular Resistance Committees are the third largest terror group in Gaza. The Popular Resistance Committees publicly admitted responsibility for participating in the October 7th attacks, hold one living hostage, and have killed both American and Israeli civilians in the past. The amendment requests a review for the eligibility of Lion’s Den as a terrorist organization; Lion’s Den has carried out dozens of shooting and stabbing attacks targeting Israelis. This is an amendment version of H.R.7914 – the Accountability for Terrorist Perpetrators of October 7th Act.” Submitted
Yemen Amdt #396 Issa (R-CA) “Increases congressional oversight of Houthi conduct in Yemen by documenting human rights abuses, anti-Semitic and extremist indoctrination campaigns, and obstruction of humanitarian assistance, while creating a framework to identify Houthi actors for potential U.S. sanctions. It sunsets after five years unless reauthorized.” Submitted
Israel Accountability Amdt #397 Carson (D-IN) “Requires the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of State, and relevant national security agencies to submit an unclassified, public report to Congress on the death of Shireen Abu Akleh.” Submitted
Yemen  Amdt #422 Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Lawler (R-NY) “Directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a contingency plan to ensure freedom of navigation at the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in the event of Houthi escalation.” Submitted
Turkey Amdt #431 Bilirakis (R-FL) “Requires a Report on the People’s Republic of China and Turkey Military and Intelligence Cooperation.” Submitted
Syria Amdt #448 Wilson (R-SC) “Revokes the state sponsor of terrorism designation on Syria.” WITHDRAWN
Iran Amdt #468 Sherman (D-CA) “Temporarily prohibits the export of U.S.-produced crude oil until (1) the President declares that all hostilities with Iran have ceased and (2) the Strait of Hormuz is fully re-opened. Also provides limited flexibility for cases where crude oil cannot be efficiently refined in the United States, allowing for narrowly tailored export licenses conditioned on the return of refined product to the U.S.” Submitted
Saudi Arabia Amdt #504 Sherman (D-CA) “Prevents a nuclear deal or transfer of any nuclear reactors, equipment, or technologies to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia unless the President certifies that Saudi Arabia has signed and implemented an Additional Protocol to its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA and is not engaging in nuclear enrichment or reprocessing.” Submitted
Iran Amdt #555 Gottheimer (D-NJ) “Requires the Secretary of State to submit annual reports to Congress on cooperation between the Polisario Front and Iranian-affiliated terrorist organizations and mandates the President to designate the Polisario Front as a foreign terrorist organization if such cooperation is determined to exist.” Submitted
Syria Amdt #558 Wilson (R-SC) “Requires a report on the Russian military presence in Syria.” Submitted
Syria Amdt #576 Mackenzie (R-PA) “Establishes a sense of Congress that there should be accountability for humanitarian crimes committed in Syria against religious and ethnic minority communities as documented by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom and other monitors. States the policy of the U.S. is to utilize existing authorities to impose targeted sanctions on specific Syrian officials and militia leaders determined to be responsible for such abuses.” Submitted
Turkey/Hamas Amdt #601 Goldman (D-NY), Malliotakis (R-NY), Gottheimer (D-NJ), Kean (R-NJ) “Requires a report on the Government of Turkey’s relationship with Hamas and its affiliates, including financial, political and military assistance.” Submitted
Turkey Amdt #603 Goldman (D-NY), Malliotakis (R-NY), Gottheimer (D-NJ), Kean (R-NJ), Bell (D-MO) “Requires a report on the security impacts of Turkey’s illegal occupation of Cyprus to the US, its allies, and partners — including the presence of foreign terrorist organizations, past terror attacks and attempts, and threats to military installations and personnel.” Submitted
Lebanon Amdt #636 Shreve (R-IN) “Revised Beginning October 1, 2027, prevents funds from being made available to fund the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) or any successor organization. Identical to H.R. 9020 (119th Congress).” Submitted
Iran Amdt #659  Garcia (D-IL) “Requires public disclosure, with appropriate redactions, of materials related to the U.S. government’s bombing of the Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab, Iran on February 28, 2026, which killed at least 175 people, mostly children.” Submitted
UNRWA Amdt #709 Smith (R-NJ) “Bars the United States from making any voluntary or assessed contributions to the United Nations Relief Works Agency or to any successor or related agency.” Submitted
Syria Amdt #749 Wilson (R-SC) “Requires a report on barriers to investment to include security climate in Syria.” Submitted
Syria Amdt #796 Wilson (R-SC) “Revokes the state sponsor of terrorism designation on Syria.” Submitted
Israel Accountablity Amdt #810 Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) “Requires a report for each recipient country of defense articles or defense services on end-use monitoring, consistency with international law/humanitarian law/law of armed conflict, an assessment of civilian casualties and mitigation of civilian casualties, and recipient cooperation with US and international humanitarian assistance in conflict areas.” Submitted
Saudi Arabia Amdt #835 Sherman (D-CA) “Opposes development of nuclear weapons by any country that does not already possess them, including Saudi Arabia.” Submitted
Israel Amdt #841 Tlaib (D-MI) “Prohibits the use of funds to enter into any new co-production agreement with Israel.” Submitted
Saudi Arabia Amdt #846 Sherman (D-CA) “Expresses the sense of Congress that a nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia should include the same safeguards of the existing agreement with the United Arab Emirates.” Submitted
Israel Accountability Amdt #853 Tlaib (D-MI) “Prohibits the sale or transfer of defense articles to any country (1) that is before the International Court of Justice concerning alleged violations of obligations under the Genocide Convention and the Court has indicated provisional measures to prevent plausible genocide; or (2) the current government of which includes officials that have outstanding arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court.” Submitted
Lebanon Amdt #854 Tlaib (D-MI), Ramirez (D-IL), Garcia (D-IL) “Prohibits the use of funds in Lebanon in violation of the War Powers Resolution.” Submitted
Syria Amdt #879 Wilson (R-SC) “Prohibits funding from being made available to any entity or individual which derived financial benefit from the Assad regime in Syria. Such individuals also may not benefit from grants, reconstruction loans or public-private partnerships.” Submitted
Israel Amdt #889 Tlaib (D-MI) “Strikes Sections 1221, 1222, and 1223, which extend war reserve stockpiles for Israel and deepen military cooperation with Israel.” Submitted
Israel Amdt #953 Gottheimer (D-NJ) “Directs the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, the Director of the National Science Foundation, and the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, to establish a United States–Israel Artificial Intelligence Center in the United States to develop research and development cooperation between U.S. and Israeli institutions of higher education and private sector entities” Submitted
Iran Amdt #960 Moulton (D-MA) “Provides a Sense of Congress on the importance of reaching a final deal to ensure Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon.” Submitted
Iran Amdt #976 Wagner (R-MO) “Identical to the text of H.R. 2394, the DETERRENCE Act, which would increase the criminal sentences for those who commit violent crimes at the direction of, or in coordination with, a foreign government.” Submitted
Iran Amdt #988 Steube (R-FL) “Modifies and enhances the annual report on military power of Iran.” [incl suggesting that Iran is behind Israel-related campus protests in the US] Submitted
Iran Amdt #1006 Ryan (D-NY), Vasquez (D-NM), Conaway (D-NJ), Jacobs (D-CA), Goodlander (D-NH), Garamendi (D-CA), Strickland (D-WA), Vindman (D-VA) “Prohibits the use of FY2027 DoD funds for military action in or against Iran unless explicitly authorized by Congress.” Submitted
Iran Amdt #1013 Stanton (D-AZ), Ansari (D-AZ) “Requires a comprehensive report to Congress on military installations, forward operating bases, and cooperative security locations damaged or impacted during the recent conflict with Iran. This includes a comprehensive cost analysis of the necessary repairs and a listing of the munitions downgraded at each location.” Submitted
Mideast Foreign Policy Grift Amdt #1031 Olszwewski (D-MD) “Prohibits the President, VP, and their families from deriving any financial benefit from any funding related to an agreement with Iran” Submitted
Iran Amdt #1076 Sherman (D-CA) “Prohibits the transfer of U.S. funds to Iran as part of any agreement, deal, or memorandum of understanding reached with the Government of Iran.” Submitted
Israel Amdt #1099 Ogles (R-TN) “This amendment expresses the sense of Congress that DOW participation in international defense exhibitions should be conditioned on the full participation of Israeli companies and the absence of discriminatory restrictions targeting Israel.” Submitted
Iran Amdt #1103 Crockett (D-TX) “Adds a report that assesses the military power of Iran” Submitted
Gaza Amdt #1112 Crockett (D-TX) “Late Adds a report to address stabilization and reconstruction efforts in Gaza” Submitted
end at 1120  

 

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(FY27 NSRP APPROPS) HR 8595: On 6/8/26, the House Rules Committee announced that the Committee “may meet the week of June 22nd to provide for floor consideration of H.R. 8595, the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027,” with amendments due by 6/16/26 [ For coverage of Middle East/Israel provisions in the bill, as approved by the House Appropriations Committee, see the 5/1/26 edition of the Round-Up.]. This announcement opened the floodgates for amendments — 150 have been submitted as of 10:30am ET on 6/19/26). Many are not germane (i.e., they have nothing to do with the underlying bill); most will not make it out of committee to be considered on the House floor (let alone passed as part of the bill), needing a majority vote in Rules Committee to advance. Yet, as always it is smart to pay attention to all amendments offered to bills like this, as these amendments offer valuable insights into the priorities and intentions of members. On 6/16/26, the Rules Committee announced that the meeting to consider amendments proposed to HR 8595 will take place on 6/23/26 at 2pm.

Amendments related to Israel and the Middle East proposed as of 6/19/26 at 10:30am ET are:

Topic Amdt # + link Intro’d by Description/Summary Status
Egypt Amdt #4 Massie (R-KY) “Strikes $1,425,000,000 in assistance for Egypt, prohibits funds appropriated by the Act from being used for Egypt, and accordingly reduces the National Security Investment Programs and the Foreign Military Financing Program accounts, collectively, by $1,425,000,000.” Submitted
Israel Amdt #5 Massie (R-KY) “Strikes $3,300,000,000 in grants for Israel, prohibits funds appropriated by the Act from being used for Israel, and accordingly reduces the Foreign Military Financing Program account by $3,300,000,000.” Submitted
Jordan Amdt #6 Massie (R-KY) “Strikes $2,100,000,000 in assistance for Jordan, prohibits funds appropriated by the Act from being used for Jordan, and accordingly reduces the National Security Investment Programs, the Foreign Military Financing Program, the Global Health Programs, and other programs accounts, collectively, by $2,100,000,000.” Submitted
Gaza/Palestinians Amdt #13 Stansbury (D-NM) “Provides $50,000,000 for education programs in Gaza. Requires that funds be administered through vetted non-governmental organizations or international organizations.” Submitted
Gaza/Palestinians Amdt #14 Stansbury (D-NM) “Provides not less than $75,000,000 to meet the urgent needs of children in Gaza, including for maternal and child health services, malnutrition, child protection services, and shelter. Requires report on International Humanitarian Assistance funding.” Submitted
Mideast Foreign Policy Grift Amdt #30 Ansari (D-AZ), Watson-Coleman (D-NJ) “Requires a comprehensive report on the national security, counterintelligence, foreign policy, and legal implications of certain foreign gifts and investments provided to President Trump, the Trump, Kushner, and Witkoff families, and their close associates.” Submitted
UN & Palestinians Amdt #31 Tlaib (D-MI) “Strikes funding ban on the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations Human Rights Council, including the United Nations International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel.” Submitted
Mideast Foreign Policy Grift Amdt #34 Subramanyan (D-VA) “Prohibits funding from being used to carry out activities that personally and directly benefit the finances of the President, or members of the administration.” Submitted
Gaza & Palestinians Amdt #37 Tlaib (D-MI) “Revised Strikes prohibition on the admission and resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza.” Submitted
Human Rights Treaties Amdt #40 McGovern (D-MA) “Prohibits funds from being used to withdraw the United States from three duly-ratified international human rights treaties.” Submitted
ICC Amdt #41 Tlaib (D-MI) “Strikes funding prohibitions for the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.” Submitted
Gaza & Palestinians Amdt #45 Subramanyan (D-VA) “Directs the Secretary of State to conduct a review of humanitarian aid levels in Gaza, and issue recommendations on ways that the United States and international partners can increase access to humanitarian aid.” Submitted
Palestinians & ICC/ICJ Amdt #46 Tlaib (D-MI) “Revised Strikes provision that bans funds for the Palestinian Authority if Palestinians obtain member state standing at the UN or any related agency, or if Palestinians take action to pursue justice through the International Criminal Court or actions based on an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice.” Submitted
Israel aid Amdt #48 Tlaib (D-MI) “Revised Strikes $3.3 billion earmark for foreign military financing for Israel.” Submitted
Gaza / “Board of Peace” Amdt #49 Ramirez (D-IL) “Prohibits funds to unvetted Board of Peace/International Stabilization Force/Gaza Humanitarian Foundation post-conflict mechanisms until the Secretary of State certifies to the Committees on Appropriations that such mechanisms (1) operate under a formal mandate endorsed by a democratically elected Palestinian governance body; (2) include robust, independent human rights monitoring; and (3) are subject to United States Government audits.” Submitted
West Bank & Gaza Amdt #51 Ramirez (D-IL) “Requires the Secretary of State to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations detailing all funds previously appropriated for assistance for the West Bank and Gaza that remain unobligated, or obligated but not expended, and providing a specific justification for each instance of non-obligation.” Submitted
Jerusalem Amdt #55 Tlaib (D-MI) “Revised Strikes the ban on moving the United States embassy to Israel from Jerusalem and the ban on opening any U.S. diplomatic facility in Jerusalem for Palestinians.” Submitted
Israel aid Amdt #56 Ramirez (D-IL) “Revised Strikes the $3.3 billion Foreign Military Financing funding for Israel.” Submitted
Mideast Foreign Policy Grift Amdt #69 Amo (D-RI) “Revised Prohibits funding from being used to coordinate with any Special Envoy or private individual in high level government negotiations who has a personal financial interest with a nation that is a party to the negotiations.” Submitted
Mideast Foreign Policy Grift Amdt #70 Amo (D-RI) “Revised Requires a report on any discussions or negotiations between the United States government and any foreign government that involved Jared Kushner.” Submitted
Mideast Foreign Policy Grift Amdt #72 Amo (D-RI) “Revised Prohibits the Secretary of State from receiving a salary unless all Special Envoys and private individuals in high level government negotiations provide annual financial disclosures.” Submitted
Gulf States Amdt #76 Castor (D-FL) “Strikes limitations on operations and assistance related to the Gulf.” Submitted
UNRWA/Palestinians Amdt #77 Carson (D-IN) “Revised Removes restrictive funding limitations on UNRWA within the bill text. The underlying funding supports essential humanitarian aid, food security, education, and healthcare infrastructure for vulnerable populations in the region. This amendment would support U.S. humanitarian leadership and regional stability interests by preventing a continued collapse of aid distribution networks, while ensuring flexibility for the administration to manage foreign assistance effectively under standard oversight mechanisms.” Submitted
UNRWA/Palestinians Amdt #79 Carson (D-IN) “Revised Removes restrictive funding limitations on UNRWA within the bill text. The underlying funding supports essential humanitarian aid, food security, education, and healthcare infrastructure for vulnerable populations in the region. This amendment would support U.S. humanitarian leadership and regional stability interests by preventing a continued collapse of aid distribution networks, while ensuring flexibility for the administration to manage foreign assistance effectively under standard oversight mechanisms.” Submitted
Israel/settlements Amdt #80 Quigley (D-IL) “Prohibits the use of appropriated funds for Israel to be used for the expansion of settlements, the damage or demolition of homes, schools, farms, orchards, or other civilian property in the West Bank or Gaza.” Submitted
Gaza reconstruction Amdt #81 Quigley (D-IL) “Makes $400,000,000 available for the reconstruction of civilian infrastructure in Gaza.” Submitted
Targeting the UN Amdt #93 Roy (R-TX) “Late Prohibits any funds from being made available to the United Nations.” Submitted
Targeting Palestine Aid (et al) Amdt #94 Roy (R-TX) “Late Strikes the exemption provision that allows foreign assistance to flow through nongovernmental organizations in countries subject to aid restrictions, ensuring such restrictions apply equally to NGOs and foreign governments.” Submitted
Enforcing Greater Israel (“Judea & Samaria”) Amdt #98 Tenney (R-NY) “Late Prohibits funding for materials that refer to Judea and Samaria by “the West Bank.”” Submitted
Enforcing Greater Israel (“Judea & Samaria”) Amdt #100 Tenney (R-NY) “Late Makes technical corrections by replacing references to the ‘West Bank’ with ‘Judea and Samaria.'” Submitted
Jerusalem/Temple Mt  [Making the Temple Mt Israeli Again!] Amdt #101 Tenney (R-NY) “Late Increases and decreases funding for the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom by $1M to emphasize the importance of ensuring religious freedom and equal access for all with respect to the Temple Mount.” Submitted
Egypt Amdt #128  Massie (R-KY)  “Late Prohibits funds appropriated by the Act from being used for Egypt, and accordingly reduces the National Security Investment Programs and the Foreign Military Financing Program accounts, collectively, by $1,425,000,000.” Submitted
Israel Amdt #130 Massie (R-KY) “Late Strikes $3,300,000,000 in grants for Israel.” Submitted
Middle East Amdt #132 Perry (R-PA) “Late Strikes the Center for Middle Eastern-Western Dialogue Trust Fund.”  Submitted
Jordan Amdt #133 Massie (R-KY) “Late Strikes $2,100,000,000 in assistance for Jordan.” Submitted
UNRWA Amdt #145 Smith (R-NJ) “Late Bars the United States from making any voluntary or assessed contributions to the United Nations Relief Works Agency or to any successor or related agency.” Submitted
GENOCIDE Amdt #148 Omar (D-MN) “Late Increases and decreases funds to support programming that promotes justice and accountability for war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity.” Submitted

 

Reporting/posts on previously introduced legislation:

2. Letters & Reports

3. Hearings & Markups

June 17, 2026: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a Business meeting to mark up and pass various measures, including: S. 3172 – Repeal certain Acts that impose sanctions upon Syria;  S. 3900 – Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act of 2026, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute; and S. 4443 – Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Also see the joint readout on the meeting issues by the Chairman and Ranking Member.

4. Selected Members on the Record

REMINDER: It is simply beyond the capacity of the Round-Up to track [let alone document] what every member of the House and Senate is saying about the US/Israel war with Iran — including the Trump deal to end the war this week. To see what a specific member has said, check their websites and social media accounts.

Israel/AIPAC in US Elex

  • Fine (R-FL) 6/18/26: X-post – “Groups like @TrackAIPAC are spreading lies about politicians to turn Americans against each other. It’s clear by now that foreign propaganda is poisoning our own people. We need to get to the bottom of it.”
  • Khanna (D-CA) 6/17/26: X-post – “I am proud to be the first Democrat to take this pledge to reject money from AIPAC and affiliated groups, recognize the genocide in Gaza, and oppose aid to Israel and military sales that kill civilians.”

Free Speech/Right to Protest for Palestinian Lives/Rights

  • Fine (R-FL) 6/18/26: X-post – “I’m alarmed by the Muslim terror infiltration into regular Americans repeating the same lines we hear from Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas. We can’t tolerate this any longer.”
  • Welch (D-VT) 6/18/26: X-post – “Mohsen Mahdawi was asked on his final citizenship interview whether he would be willing to protect and defend the Constitution.   Within seconds of saying yes, ICE agents stormed in, arrested him, handcuffed his wrists and chained his feet, and threw him in a cell.“
  • Welch (D-VT) 6/18/26: X-post – “Mohsen Mahdawi is in America legally. And yet he was arrested by the Trump Administration for peacefully advocating for Palestinians, something millions of Americans—including myself—have done.”
  • Welch (D-VT) 6/16/26: Welch, Van Hollen, Durbin, and Knight Institute Host Press Conference with Mohsen Mahdawi at U.S. Capitol on Threats to Free Speech and Immigration Law

Islamophobia on Parade!

  • Fine (R-FL) 6/18/26: X-post – “Muslim migrants raping 250,000 white British girls in full view and with the full support of the British government may be the most outrageous crime against children since the Holocaust.”
  • Gill (R-TX) 6/17/26: X-post – “We can either stop Islamic immigration now or our children will pay the price – just like the working class girls in Great Britain did. Our job as conservatives is to conserve the country we grew up in, not import the cultures erasing it.”

Concerns re: Israel/West Bank/Gaza/Jerusalem/Palestinians & Lebanon 

  • Massie (R-KY) 6/17/26: X-post – “We should’ve stopped sending Israel the weapons to bomb civilian targets years ago. Here’s an apartment building they destroyed with one of our weapons when Biden was President.”
  • Sanders (I-VT) 6/16/26: X-post – “Only 16% of Americans support arming Israel without restrictions. So what is Congress doing? Burying a provision in the defense bill that would give Israel more military integration than any NATO ally. We must strip Section 224 from the Pentagon budget.”
  • Tlaib (D-MI) 6/13/26: X-post – “This isn’t hard: Condemn Israel’s genocide without equivocation. Israel’s violent ethnic cleansing of Palestine is wrong. This is simple and any leader should be able to say so. The fact my colleague cannot bring herself to say that is concerning.” Responding to Haley (D-MI) X-post – “This isn’t hard: Condemn violence without equivocation. The reported planned violence and intimidation at the University of Michigan is wrong. This is simple and any leader should be able to say so. The fact my opponent cannot bring himself to say that is concerning.”
  • Casten (D-IL) 6/12/26: X-post – “It’s easy to forget this 59 years later, but Israel is an occupying power in the West Bank. Article IV of the Geneva Convention spells out specific obligations of such actors, and this is a direct violation – not for the first time.” Linked to New York Times article, Israel Set to Rapidly Expand West Bank Settlement
  • Tlaib (D-MI) 6/12/26: X-post – “Sama Safi is a 20-year old U.S. citizen and student who was kidnapped by Israeli soldiers from her family home at 3am last week and remains in Israeli prison. She has a chronic health condition and requires daily medication. Her life is at risk—our government must free her now!”

Other stuff

  • Bilirakis (R-FL) 6/17/26: Bilirakis Condemns Antisemitic Behavior Following Jerusalem Day Event, Urges Leaders to Stand Firm Against Hate
  • Gottheimer (D-NJ) 6/16/26: STATEMENT: Gottheimer on Planned Attack Targeting White House, Pro-Israel Members of Congress

5. Selected Media

Israel/AIPAC (and Iran) in US elex & politics – GENERAL

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Alabama

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Arizona

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – California

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Delaware

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Florida

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Georgia

  • Jewish Insider 6/15/26: Rep. Mike Collins favored in Georgia runoff against Kemp-backed Derek Dooley [“‘Mike Collins has condemned the hate speech seen on college campuses and around the globe, and has been an ardent supporter of Israel in Congress. While [Georgia Sen.] Jon Ossoff capitulated to woke activists and voted to cut aid to Israel, Mike Collins has stood strong and protected its right to exist,’ a Collins campaign spokesperson told JI last year, when asked about his online history and vote on the antisemitism bill.”]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Maine

  • Bangor Daily News 6/15/26: Maine’s Susan Collins-Graham Platner race expected to draw nearly $400M in ads [“…The Winning for Women Action Fund, a super PAC boosting Republican women, has booked $16 million in pro-Collins ads. Her campaign has also received more than $538,000 from at least 315 individual donors bundled through AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobbying group.“]
  • Arutz Sheva 6/16/26: Anti-Israel Maine Senate candidate accuses Netanyahu of war crimes
  • The Guardian 6/15/26: Graham Platner’s victory reveals a winning midterms playbook
  • Portside 6/13/26: Graham Platner Won Maine by 50 Points. The Establishment Is Furious. Good. [“…Vindman and Paxton, for all their differences in party affiliation, share one essential quality: they are status quo politicians. Neither one is a structural threat to the billionaire class, the military industrial complex, the health insurance industry, or the political establishment. Vindman rejects universal healthcare. Paxton serves the donor class that has always owned Texas politics. Both are in denial of, and support, Israel’s genocide on Gaza. Neither one is a change agent. Graham Platner is. And that makes him the one candidate in this comparison who actually threatens the people who own corporate media. The attacks on him are not merely about his past mistakes. They are about his future potential to disrupt the system that funds the outlets attacking him. The billionaire class does not spend money attacking politicians who are not a threat. Platner’s landslide primary victory is proof that they are right to be afraid.”]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Maryland

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Michigan

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Missouri

  • Semafor 6/16/26: Bernie Sanders endorses Cori Bush’s comeback bid [“Bush, who’d been a member of the ‘Squad,’ was ousted last cycle by Democratic Rep. Wesley Bell in a deep-blue St. Louis district deluged in spending by the pro-Israel group AIPAC. Bush, an outspoken critic of Israel, launched a primary challenge last fall for what’s now the sole remaining safe blue seat in Missouri after Republicans redrew the map.“]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – New Jersey

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – New York

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & Politics – Oklahoma

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & Politics – Pennsylvania

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Virginia

Jewish Insider & Iran [JI’s headlines define a very clear story arc…]

Other Stuff