1. United States
2. N.C.
3. Letter

I urge you to oppose any congressional action to officially rename the Defense Department as the Department of War. This rebranding would waste between $10 million and $125 million in taxpayer funds according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, with costs potentially reaching hundreds of millions if Congress makes the change statutory. These funds are desperately needed elsewhere, particularly for our homeless veteran population. President Trump signed an executive order in September calling for Department of War to be used as a secondary title, though only Congress can officially change a federal agency's name. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has already begun replacing signs around the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. For context, changing the name of a single Army base costs approximately $5 million. Multiplying that expense across the entire Defense Department represents unconscionable waste when over 35,000 veterans experience homelessness on any given night in America. The contrast is stark. The low end estimate of $10 million for this rebranding could provide permanent supportive housing for approximately 200 homeless veterans annually. The high end estimate of $125 million could fund comprehensive services including housing, healthcare, and job training for thousands of veterans who served our country and now sleep on our streets. These are individuals who wore the uniform and deserve better than to be ignored while taxpayer dollars fund cosmetic changes to letterhead and signage. Our homeless veteran crisis demands urgent attention and resources. Veterans face unique challenges including PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and difficulty transitioning to civilian life. They are disproportionately represented among the homeless population. Spending millions on an unnecessary name change while veterans lack stable housing is a betrayal of our commitment to those who served. I ask that you publicly oppose any legislation to officially rename the Defense Department and vote against such measures if they come before you. Instead, redirect these funds toward veteran homelessness programs that provide tangible support to those who sacrificed for our nation.