House approves ‘Department of War’ renaming in annual defense bill 

House lawmakers approved the renaming of the Defense Department to the “Department of War” in the body’s vote for the annual defense policy bill on Wednesday.  

The fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes a $1.15 trillion spending request for national security and pay raises for service members. The legislation, which typically enjoys bipartisan support, passed by a slim margin of 216-212. 

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has led the call to rename the department to its previous moniker, saying at a press conference last fall that the Trump administration wanted to “raise up warriors, not just defenders.”

The department was initially called the “War Department” before former President Harry Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947, which authorized a major restructuring of the U.S. military. 

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