House Committee Votes to Rename Department of Defense to Department of War

The House Armed Services Committee voted to rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War, a measure that could cost up to $125 million. This decision aligns with an executive order signed by former President Trump last fall. The amendment was introduced by Republican Representative Ronny Jackson, who stated that the name change would signal America's readiness to defend its interests. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed support for the change on social media. The Congressional Budget Office estimated the renaming costs, which have drawn criticism from Democrats, who argue that the funds could be better allocated. The broader National Defense Authorization Act, which includes this provision, passed the committee with a 44-12 bipartisan vote, although it faced significant opposition from Democrats. The name change will require approval from both chambers of Congress to take effect.