Bills · S 2848
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 2848Armed Forces and National Security
DoD COW Act of 2025
INTRO SEP 17· LAST ACTION SEP 17
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
3
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it establishes a specific funding mechanism for what could be a very expensive undertaking: rebranding a major federal department. By requiring these costs to come from travel budgets, it seeks to ensure that the administrative burden of such a name change directly impacts the leadership's discretionary spending, rather than drawing from other operational funds or requiring new taxpayer money. If this bill becomes law, any future renaming of the Department of Defense to the 'Department of War' would have a clear, pre-determined financial pathway.
If the bill does not pass, and such a renaming were to occur, Congress might need to approve new funds or the costs might be absorbed differently across the defense budget, potentially impacting other programs or requiring additional appropriations. It also signals legislative awareness of, and a particular approach to, the financial implications of a potential shift in the Department's identity.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires costs associated with renaming the Department of Defense to 'Department of War' to be paid from the travel budget of the Secretary of Defense.
This provision dictates a specific source of funding for a potentially significant rebranding effort, affecting the Secretary's discretionary spending.
PROVISION 02
Mandates that if the Secretary of Defense's travel budget is insufficient, additional costs for renaming must be covered by the travel budgets of the secretaries of the military departments.
This ensures a backup funding source and spreads the financial impact of the renaming across top military leadership's travel funds.
PROVISION 03
States that Congress believes the name of the Department of Defense can only be changed by an Act of Congress.
This clarifies the legislative authority required for such a significant departmental name change, emphasizing congressional oversight.
PROVISION 04
Requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to Congress within one year of the bill's enactment detailing all obligated or expended costs for the renaming.
This provision ensures transparency and accountability regarding the financial impact of the name change.
PROVISION 05
Defines 'covered costs' to include expenses for updating physical signage, websites, stationery, and digital media.
This specifies the exact types of expenses that must be covered by the designated travel budgets.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 3
D· Maryland
YRS IN OFFICE
1
BILLS LED
38
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 3 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSSEP 17
Introduced in Senate
SEP 17
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 2848
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedSep 17, 2025
Last actionSep 17, 2025
READER REACTIONS
OVERALL SENTIMENT
No reactions yet. Be the first to weigh in.
Discussion
Loading comments...
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED SEP 17, 2025
Senate BillS 2848Armed Forces and National Security
DoD COW Act of 2025
INTRODUCED SEP 17, 2025· LAST ACTION SEP 17, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
2 min
COSPONSORS
3
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
