Story perspectives

Senate OKs Defense Dept Rename, $750 M Ukraine Aid

6/12/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Senate Armed Services Committee approved the Defense Authorization Act renaming the Defense Department as the Department of War and allocating $750 million for Ukraine assistance.
Senator Tim Kaine voted against, calling the rename a distraction from ending the Middle East war.
Ranking Member Jeff Merkley warned the rename could cost up to $125 million, a project that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised, saying Department of War will be restored soon.

History

Historical Context

President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act on July 26 1947, merging the War and Navy departments into the National Military Establishment and naming James V. Forrestal the first secretary of defense. Renamed the Department of Defense in 1949, the structure now underlies a Senate Armed Services Committee proposal to rename the department and earmark $750 million for Ukraine.

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Story summary

The Senate Armed Services Committee approved the Defense Authorization Act renaming the Defense Department as the Department of War and allocating $750 million for Ukraine assistance.
Senator Tim Kaine voted against, calling the rename a distraction from ending the Middle East war.
Ranking Member Jeff Merkley warned the rename could cost up to $125 million, a project that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised, saying Department of War will be restored soon.

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