Department of War Restoration Act of 2025

Summary

Redesignates the Department of Defense as the Department of War and the Secretary of Defense as the Secretary of War. It also provides that any existing law, regulation, directive, instruction, certificate, or official paper that refers to the Department of Defense or the Secretary of Defense will be read to refer to the new names on the date the law takes effect.

• Changes only the names: Department of Defense → Department of War; Secretary of Defense → Secretary of War.
• All existing statutory and regulatory references to the old names are legally read to mean the new names on enactment.
• The bill does not, in its text, alter missions, authorities, or budgetary provisions tied to the department.
• Federal agencies and external parties will need to update documents, forms, signage, and contracts to reflect the new names.
• Legal continuity is preserved by the bill’s cross‑reference rule, reducing the need to amend every statute or contract immediately.
• Administrative and compliance costs (printing, changing systems, updating citations) will likely occur across many agencies and contractors.
• Possible diplomatic and public communications work will be needed to notify foreign governments, partners, and stakeholders.
• The change is symbolic and terminological but may carry substantial political and public symbolism and debate.