Will Democrats try to strip US-Israel initiative from Pentagon funding?

After strong midterm gains, Democrats may have greater leverage to remove a provision integrating US and Israeli defence industries from the Pentagon’s 2027 funding bill. Advocates want party leaders to make opposition to the initiative a condition of supporting the legislation, alongside limits on the Iran war.

The Senate bill is part of a $1.15 trillion defence package and requires 60 votes to pass. A December 11 funding deadline means Congress must approve the bill or another temporary measure, while Republicans face Democrats taking control of both chambers in January. Some Democratic leaders have criticised the bill’s overall cost, but senior figures have not publicly stated whether they will oppose the US-Israel provision.