Department of Defense’s Cost of ‘War’ Act of 2025; DoD COW Act of 2025
Summary
The "Department of Defense's Cost of 'War' Act of 2025" (DoD COW Act of 2025) addresses the potential renaming of the Department of Defense to the Department of War. It mandates that the costs associated with this renaming be covered by reallocating funds from the Secretary of Defense's travel budget, and potentially from the travel budgets of the secretaries of the military departments.
The bill also requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to Congress on the total amount obligated or expended for these renaming costs. The bill defines 'covered costs' as those related to changing signage, websites, stationary, printed media, and digital media to reflect the new name.
Ultimately, the bill seeks to ensure congressional oversight and control over the renaming process and its associated expenses.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would prevent the Department of Defense from using funds outside of the specified travel budgets for renaming purposes. It would also increase transparency through the required report to Congress.
This could lead to a reduction in travel for the Secretary of Defense and potentially other military department secretaries. The actual impact depends on the magnitude of the renaming costs.
Potential Benefits
- Ensures congressional control over the renaming of the Department of Defense.
- Promotes fiscal responsibility by requiring the use of existing travel budgets for renaming costs.
- Increases transparency through the requirement of a report to Congress on renaming expenses.
- May lead to a reduction in unnecessary travel expenses within the Department of Defense.
- Reinforces the principle that significant changes, such as renaming a major government department, should be subject to legislative approval.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- May divert funds from essential travel activities of the Secretary of Defense and other military department secretaries.
- Could be seen as a symbolic gesture that does not address more pressing issues within the Department of Defense.
- The cost of renaming, even if covered by travel budgets, could be considered a wasteful expenditure by some.
- The focus on renaming might distract from more critical national security priorities.
- The bill's impact is limited to the renaming issue and does not address broader concerns about the Department of Defense's operations or budget.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the principle of congressional oversight and control over government spending, as outlined in Article I, Section 9, Clause 7 of the Constitution, which states that "No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law."
Additionally, the bill's requirement for a report to Congress reinforces the principle of transparency and accountability in government. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or liberties.
However, the constitutionality of reallocating funds within the Department of Defense could be debated, depending on the original appropriations and the scope of executive authority.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).