1. United States
2. Wisc.
3. Letter

I am writing as your constituent to demand that you oppose and work to strip Section 219 (the House version's numbering; Section 1217 in the Senate) from the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act. This provision would create a "United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative" that embeds Israel directly into U.S. military research, development, and technology programs at a level granted to no other nation on earth, not even our NATO allies. This is not a routine extension of an existing alliance. It creates a permanent Executive Agent structure that fuses core U.S. military technology development- artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, missile defense, cyber and electronic warfare, directed energy — with a foreign government's defense establishment, largely insulated from the annual oversight and appropriations process that is supposed to keep our military accountable to the American people and to Congress. Lawmakers from across the political spectrum, including Senator Sanders, have already warned that this section was buried in a must-pass bill specifically to avoid a straight up-or-down vote on its merits, and a bipartisan House effort by Representatives Massie and Khanna to strip the identical language was blocked from even reaching the floor. I believe this raises serious questions about American sovereignty. Handing a foreign government this degree of integration into our military's technology base — without the transparency the public deserves — is something I do not believe most Americans support, regardless of party. Support for continuing unconditional military ties with Israel is at its lowest point in decades, and I believe that shift reflects real concern among voters, not a fringe position. I also believe the influence that lobbying groups like AIPAC exert on this process deserves scrutiny. Whatever the merits of the broader U.S.-Israel relationship, decisions about which foreign entities get privileged access to American military technology and budgets should be made in the open, on their own merits, with full congressional debate — not quietly folded into a defense bill that must pass to keep the government funded. I am asking you directly: Publicly commit to opposing Section 219/1217 in its current form. Push for a standalone, transparent vote on this provision rather than allowing it to ride through as part of a must-pass bill. Support full public hearings and independent oversight on the scope of technology and intelligence integration this section would authorize. I want to be clear that this is not a fringe request. It has drawn opposition from voices across the ideological spectrum, and I expect my elected officials to take it seriously rather than deferring to donor pressure. I will be watching how you vote on this, and I will be discussing it with other constituents in our community. Representatives who protect their own political comfort over the accountability the public is asking for should expect that decision to be an issue in future elections. I ask that you put the interests of your constituents and the constitutional accountability of our military above any other consideration on this vote. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I expect a response outlining your position on Section 219/1217.