Rep. Adam Gray (D-Merced) broke with the vast majority of his party Wednesday, becoming one of just six House Democrats to vote in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2027 as the U.S. House narrowly approved the annual defense policy bill.

The House passed H.R. 8800 by a 216-212 vote. Republicans backed the measure 209-7, while Democrats opposed it 205-6. One independent also voted in favor.

Gray was the only Democratic member representing the San Joaquin Valley to support the legislation. He had not responded to requests for comment.

The region’s Republican members all voted in favor of the bill, including Rep. Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield), Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford), and Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Elk Grove).

Valadao defended his vote, saying the legislation would strengthen the military while expanding support for service members and their families.

“At a time of growing threats around the world, it’s more important than ever that we provide our servicemembers with the resources they need to keep our country safe,” Valadao said in a statement.

He said the bill includes a pay raise for troops, improves military housing, expands access to education, child care and health care, and invests in advanced military technologies and the nation’s defense industrial base.

Rep. Jim Costa (D-Fresno) voted against the legislation, as did Rep. Josh Harder (D-Tracy).

Costa was not available for comment by the time of publication.

About the Bill

The legislation authorizes about $1.15 trillion in defense spending for fiscal year 2027 while establishing Pentagon policy for the coming year. It includes funding for military operations, weapons programs, military construction, and Department of Energy defense activities.

One of the bill’s most closely watched provisions, Section 219, would create a U.S.-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative. The measure directs the Defense Department to designate an executive agent to coordinate expanded defense collaboration with Israel, including joint development of artificial intelligence, cyber warfare, autonomous systems and quantum computing.

The provision has drawn bipartisan opposition. Lawmakers from both parties sought to remove Section 219 before the House vote, arguing it would create an unprecedented level of military-industrial integration between the United States and Israel. Those efforts were unsuccessful, and the provision remained in the bill approved Wednesday.

Introduced May 13 by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Alabama), the legislation advanced out of committee June 4 on a 44-12 vote.

It now heads to the Senate for consideration.