Progressives push DEI, anti-Israel measures in national defense bill

The House is gearing up to tackle its yearly defense policy bill this week, as Democrats have submitted hundreds of amendments aimed at pushing back against the Trump administration and current GOP priorities.

A total of about 450 proposed amendments have been submitted for the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). These amendments cover a range of issues including diversity, Israel funding, and Trump’s immigration policies.

The House Rules Committee will review the bill on Monday and establish the parameters for debate, setting the stage for a floor vote later in the week.

While many of the progressive amendments are unlikely to pass, they serve as a symbolic gesture of opposition to the White House and Republican leadership. Representatives like Jasmine Crockett, Luz Rivas, and Jill Tokuda have introduced amendments aimed at promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within the military.

Crockett has also proposed language to halt the construction of migrant detention facilities on military installations, challenging the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Additionally, Rep. Maxwell Frost has put forward an amendment to prevent Defense Department funds from supporting migrant processing and detention operations.

On the immigration front, Rep. Delia Ramirez has filed amendments to block family separations and prevent the transfer of non-citizens to foreign prisons without proper treaties and extradition laws. These measures would effectively halt deportations to countries like El Salvador.

In terms of U.S. support for Israel, Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar have introduced amendments to limit arms sales to countries with officials facing International Criminal Court arrest warrants. Tlaib’s proposal also aims to repeal Israel’s emergency access to a U.S.-managed weapons stockpile.

The NDAA is a crucial bill that dictates national security and defense policy for the U.S. government each fiscal year. With over 1,000 total amendments introduced this year, the bill is set to be a battleground for lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, covering the House of Representatives. Connect with her on Twitter at @liz_elkind for the latest updates and tips.