Pentagon Name Change Officially Moves to Congress, Leaving Taxpayers on the Hook for a Bill That Could Top $125 Million
Why should the name change?
The Pentagon’s name change to the Department of War is now one step closer to becoming official, and taxpayers could be stuck with a bill that might climb past $125 million. On June 5, 2026, Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee voted along party lines to include an amendment in the annual defense policy bill that would legally rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War, a move pushed by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
Rep. Ronny Jackson, who introduced the amendment, argued that the name change would send a strong message to global adversaries. According to The Hill, during the late-night debate, Jackson held up a mock-up of the Pentagon’s new logo and told fellow lawmakers, “Now that you can see firsthand how beautiful it actually is, you will have no choice, but to vote for this amendment.”
The committee approved the measure in a 29-27 vote. However, it still needs to clear the Senate, where Democrats hold enough influence to block it.
The push to rename the Pentagon didn’t come out of nowhere
The administration already took steps to rebrand the department last September with an executive order, and Hegseth has been using the title “Secretary of War” ever since. Many Republicans in Congress have adopted the new name, and the Pentagon has started updating its signage to reflect the change. But without congressional approval, the name shift isn’t legally binding, which is why this latest amendment is such a big deal.
The cost of the rebranding is already raising eyebrows. In April, the Pentagon told Congress that making the name change official would cost around $52 million, a figure that doesn’t seem to faze lawmakers given the department’s $1.15 trillion budget request. But the Congressional Budget Office threw a wrench into those plans in January when it estimated the total cost could actually reach $125 million. That’s a lot of money for what critics are calling a symbolic gesture.
Democrats on the committee weren’t shy about their opposition. Rep. Adam Smith, the ranking member, didn’t hold back during the debate. “I really think this is one of the dumbest things that has been done by this administration,” he said.
Smith also mocked the idea that adversaries would suddenly take the U.S. more seriously just because the Pentagon’s name changed. “I wish our adversaries were that stupid,” he added. “Oh my god, the War Department! They must be serious now!”
The name ‘Department of War’ isn’t new
It actually dates back to 1789 when George Washington established the department. It kept that name until 1947, when the Truman administration reorganized the military, splitting the Air Force from the Army and merging them with the Navy under the new Department of Defense.
The idea behind the name change back then was to reflect a more unified and modern approach to national security. Now, nearly 80 years later, the administration is pushing to bring back the old name, arguing it better represents the military’s mission.
This isn’t the only controversial move tied to the Pentagon’s identity. The House Armed Services Committee also debated an amendment that would reverse another decision by Hegseth: renaming military bases that had previously honored Confederate generals. Under the previous administration, those bases were renamed to honor other service members, but Hegseth reversed those changes last year.
He claimed the bases were now named after different individuals with the same last names, not the original Confederate generals. Rep. Marilyn Strickland introduced an amendment to undo Hegseth’s decision, and it passed with bipartisan support, including votes from Republican Reps. Don Bacon and Carlos Giménez.
Bacon didn’t mince words when he criticized Hegseth’s approach
“We did it right,” Rep. Bacon said. “And then what happened was the secretary comes in and puts his thumb in our eye and just has total disregard for Congress. It bothers me, I think it should bother all of us.” The frustration over Hegseth’s actions didn’t stop there.
The committee also passed a measure requiring the Pentagon to explain why senior military officers are fired or dismissed within five days of the decision. This comes after Hegseth has fired at least two dozen top officers since taking office, including former Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, who had broad support from lawmakers.
Another contentious issue was Hegseth’s interference in military promotions. Reports surfaced this week that he blocked the promotions of nine Navy officers selected by a board of senior admirals. The move appeared to target women and minority officers disproportionately and raised concerns about political interference in what’s supposed to be a merit-based system.
Earlier this year, Hegseth also removed two Black colonels and two women colonels from the Army’s list of nominees for one-star general, reportedly over the objections of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. Rep. Austin Scott pointed out that Hegseth hasn’t provided any explanations for these decisions. “I would just suggest that if the secretary of Defense wants to have a good relationship with the members of Congress, then perhaps he should be responsive,” Scott said.
The defense policy bill itself is massive, authorizing $1.15 trillion for the Pentagon and including a pay raise for service members. It also has provisions aimed at supporting U.S. allies and reforming military acquisitions. But the bill’s journey is far from over. It still needs to pass the House floor, where it’s expected to be considered in mid-July. From there, it heads to the Senate, where the name change and other controversial measures will face tougher scrutiny.
(Featured image: SECWAR)
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