Republicans Move to Make 'Department of War' the Law

Republicans in Congress are acting to make President Trump's "Department of War" renaming official. Both the House and Senate Armed Services committees have tucked language into their versions of the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act that would formally swap "Defense" for "War" in the department's name, nearly a year after Trump ordered the rebrand, the Washington Post reports. To take effect, the change has to be codified by Congress, per the Hill.

The bills, which together authorize $1.15 trillion in military spending, still need floor votes and reconciliation. Backers say the title better reflects the military's mission and signals strength to rivals like China and Russia; critics call it an expensive cosmetic change, with a Congressional Budget Office estimate running up to $125 million and others putting the cost much higher. Democrats also argue the new name could fuel narratives abroad that the US is spoiling for conflict. Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine, who for the first time ever voted against a defense bill this week, said on Thursday, "I think it's a desire to appeal to an adolescent fantasy of this president."