Restoring the United States Department of War Act

Overview: HR 5389, the Restoring the United States Department of War Act, was introduced in the House on September 16, 2025.

Purpose and Intent: The bill aims to re-establish the United States Department of War, which was previously merged into the Department of Defense in 1949. The primary rationale is to restore a dedicated government agency focused solely on military affairs and national defense.

Key Provisions:
- Recreates the United States Department of War as a cabinet-level executive department
- Transfers all functions, personnel, and assets from the Department of Defense's military branches to the new Department of War
- Establishes the Secretary of War as the head of the department, appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate
- Outlines the Department of War's responsibilities, including military strategy, operations, procurement, and personnel management

Affected Parties and Impacts: The bill would primarily impact the U.S. military, as it would reorganize the command structure and administrative functions. Civilian leadership and oversight of the armed forces would also be affected, with the Department of War serving as the primary interface between the military and the executive branch.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations: The bill has been introduced in the House and is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. If passed, it would require the President to nominate a Secretary of War and the Senate to confirm the appointment. The transition of functions and personnel from the Department of Defense would likely take an extended period to implement.