H.R. 5522: Peace Through Strength Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Peace Through Strength Act of 2025, proposes to officially change the name of the United States Department of Defense to the Department of War. Here are the key points:

Purpose of the Name Change

The bill states that changing the name from the Department of Defense to the Department of War is intended to:

• Reflect a historical perspective, noting that the original Department of War was created in 1789.
• Convey strength and readiness to act militarily, suggesting that this name better signifies a commitment to national security.
• Encourage a focus on national interests and demonstrate a willingness to engage in military actions when necessary.

Implementation Details

To implement this change, the bill outlines the following steps:

• The United States Code will be amended to replace all instances of Department of Defense with Department of War.
• References to the Secretary of Defense will also be changed to Secretary of War.
• All existing laws and regulations that mention the Department of Defense will now refer to the Department of War once the law is enacted.

Congressional Findings

The bill cites several findings that support the name change:

• The historical significance of the Department of War in American military achievements.
• The notion that a stronger name may deter potential adversaries by projecting military readiness.
• The belief that the name better aligns with a proactive stance in national defense, beyond mere defense to also include offensive capabilities.

Sense of Congress

The bill expresses a collective opinion from Congress that:

• The name Department of War is more conducive to ensuring peace through the demonstration of military strength.
• Changing the title of the Secretary of Defense to Secretary of War emphasizes a readiness to engage in military conflict if necessary.

Other Considerations

The legislation emphasizes that the name change will not immediately affect existing legal references, which will remain in place until amended by further law in the future. Additionally, the implementation of this change will depend on the availability of appropriations, meaning appropriate funding must be allocated for the transition.

Relevant Companies

• BA - Boeing: As a major defense contractor, Boeing could see implications on contracts and projects related to defense and military production.
• RTX - Raytheon Technologies: Involved in defense technologies and systems, could face changes in contracting and project focus.
• NOC - Northrop Grumman: A key player in defense systems might be affected through official communications and contract relationships with the newly named department.
• GS - General Dynamics: Engaged in defense services and products, could experience shifts in its dealings with the Department of War.