H.R. 5522

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5522 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5522

To change the name of the Department of Defense to the ``Department of 
War'', and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 19, 2025

Mr. McGuire introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To change the name of the Department of Defense to the ``Department of 
War'', and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Peace Through Strength Act of 
2025''.

SEC. 2. CHANGE OF NAME OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TO ``DEPARTMENT OF 
WAR''.

(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) On August 7, 1789, 236 years ago, President George 
Washington signed into law a bill establishing the United 
States Department of War to oversee the operation and 
maintenance of military and naval affairs.
(2) It was under this name that the Department of War, 
along with the later formed Department of the Navy, won the War 
of 1812, World War I, and World War II, inspiring awe and 
confidence in our Nation's military, and ensuring freedom and 
prosperity for all Americans.
(3) The Founders chose this name to signal our strength and 
resolve to the world.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the name ``Department of War'', more than the current 
``Department of Defense'', ensures peace through strength, as 
it demonstrates our ability and willingness to fight and win 
wars on behalf of our Nation at a moment's notice, not just to 
defend.
(2) This name sharpens the Department's focus on our own 
national interest and our adversaries' focus on our willingness 
and availability to wage war to secure what is ours.
(3) This Department should once again be known as the 
Department of War and the Secretary should be known as the 
Secretary of War.
(c) Change of Name of Department of Defense to Department of War.--
(1) In general.--The United States Code is amended--
(A) by striking ``Department of Defense'' each 
place it appears and inserting ``Department of War''; 
and
(B) by striking ``Secretary of Defense'' each place 
it appears and inserting ``Secretary of War''.
(2) References.--Any reference to the Department of Defense 
in any law, rule, regulation, certificate, directive, 
instruction, or other official paper in force on the date of 
the enactment of this Act shall be considered to refer and 
apply to the Department of War.
(3) Other officials.--This subsection shall also apply, as 
appropriate, to subordinate officials within the Department of 
Defense, who may use corresponding secondary titles such as 
Deputy Secretary of War or Under Secretary of War in the 
contexts described in paragraph (2).
(4) Statutory references.--Statutory references to the 
Department of Defense, Secretary of Defense, and subordinate 
officers and components shall remain controlling until changed 
subsequently by the law.
(d) Implementation.--This section shall be carried out consistent 
with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
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