New Delhi, July 23 -- WASHINGTON - When a Republican member of the House calls his own chamber's defense bill "a betrayal of our sovereignty," the words carry a different weight than routine partisan opposition. Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky cast that vote Tuesday against the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2027, a $1.15 trillion measure that would formally direct the Pentagon to merge United States and Israeli military technology and supply chains. His objection did not stop the legislation. The House passed it 216 to 212.

The vote was largely along party lines, with six Democrats crossing to support the bill and seven Republicans voting against. At the center of the opposition was Section 219, a provision ...