The Senate Armed Services Committee has voted to advance legislation that would rename the Department of Defense to Department of War.
The name change is included in the committee's version of the fiscal year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act. Sen. Tim Kaine criticized the proposed renaming, calling it a 'juvenile move' that describes the reality of a President who has abandoned meaningful diplomacy.
The Department of War title has been used by Pentagon officials as a secondary title since President Donald Trump's 2025 executive order. Critics argue that the name change is unnecessary and could cost taxpayers between $10 million and $125 million.
