The US House of Representatives narrowly passed its version of a massive defence policy bill on Wednesday, despite Democrats' concerns about its huge price tag, the Iran war and a provision that would boost Pentagon ties to Israel.

On paper, it is one section among hundreds in a sprawling must-pass bill. In practice, it has become the single most watched line item in the entire package...

"We need to now fight to strip this amendment in the conference between the House and the Senate," said Rep. Ro Khanna.

Usually a bipartisan measure, the defense bill lost Democratic support over the price tag and the war in Iran.