The San Francisco Bay Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today thanked the Bay Area representatives in Congress for voting against H.R. 8800, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027, following its passage in the House.
CAIR-SFBA thanked Reps. Mark DeSaulnier, John Garamendi, Josh Harder, Jared Huffman, Ro Khanna, Sam Liccardo, Zoe Lofgren, Kevin Mullin, Jimmy Panetta, Nancy Pelosi, Lateefah Simon, and Mike Thompson for opposing the bill.
The House-approved legislation authorizes approximately $1.15 trillion in defense-related spending while millions of Americans continue to struggle with rising costs, housing insecurity, and access to affordable health care. It also includes provisions tied to recent military operations involving Iran and measures that would deepen military cooperation between the United States and Israel.
Earlier this month, Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie introduced a bipartisan amendment that would have removed Section 219, a provision expanding U.S.-Israel defense technology cooperation and integration. The House Rules Committee blocked the amendment from receiving debate or a vote.
After the amendment was blocked, Khanna and Massie announced that they would oppose final passage of the NDAA. CAIR had submitted a letter urging the House Rules Committee to allow the amendment and remove Section 219.
In a statement, CAIR-SFBA Policy Coordinator Musa Tariq said:
“We thank every Bay Area representative who voted against a bill that directs more than a trillion dollars toward military spending while deepening our country’s involvement in destructive conflicts abroad.
“At a time when families are struggling to afford housing, health care, food, and other basic needs, Congress should be investing in the American people, not expanding military cooperation with the Israeli government and risking further escalation in the Middle East.
“We especially thank Rep. Ro Khanna for working across party lines to challenge Section 219 and for opposing the bill after House leadership refused to allow a vote on its removal.”
The House passed H.R. 8800 despite opposition from all but six House Democrats.
CAIR has long called for a U.S. foreign policy that prioritizes diplomacy, de-escalation, congressional oversight, and the protection of civilian life.
The organization has also urged the U.S. Senate to reject provisions that contribute to regional instability, preserve Congress’ constitutional authority over matters of war, and ensure that taxpayer dollars are used to advance peace, security, and the well-being of all Americans.
CAIR-SFBA is an office of CAIR, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-SFBA Communications Manager Lorrie Adam, 408.498.5779, ladam@cair.com
