OAN Staff Jenna Lee
11:37 AM – Friday, June 5, 2026
Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee voted to advance President Donald Trump’s effort to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War.
The change was approved on Thursday as part of the $1.15 trillion fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
The committee adopted an amendment from Representative Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) that would codify the name change. Included in the annual defense policy bill after over 14 hours of debate and consideration of roughly 900 amendments, the committee passed the overarching legislation in a 44-12 vote shortly before midnight.
“Now that you can see firsthand how beautiful it actually is, you will have no choice, [but] to vote for this amendment,” said Jackson as Representative Pat Fallon (R-Texas) held up a mockup of the Pentagon’s logo featuring the revised name.
Trump initially signed an executive order in early September to proceed with the name change. The Pentagon subsequently asked Congress in late April to codify the “Department of War” title, stating the transition would cost close to $52 million to complete—a sum it noted will not have a “significant impact” on the $1.15 trillion defense budget request.
Originally established in 1789 under President George Washington, the Department of War name remained until 1947 when the Truman administration split the Air Force and Army and consolidated them with the Navy into the Department of Defense.
“Restoring the name Department of War sends an unmistakable signal to the world. Deterrence only works when adversaries believe America is willing to fight and win to secure its interests,” said Jackson.
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Representative Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) also praised the broader bill’s passage following the marathon session.
“The FY27 NDAA reflects months of oversight, hearings, member engagement, and collaboration to ensure the U.S. military remains the most capable and lethal fighting force in the world,” said Rogers.
“I appreciate the bipartisan effort that went into this bill, and I look forward to advancing this legislation so we can give our warfighters the resources they need to strengthen our deterrence and defend our country,” he added.
The proposal will now head to the House floor, though its odds in the Senate remain highly uncertain, as Democrat support would be required to move the legislation forward.
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