The Defense Department officially opposes renaming the Department of the Navy the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps, according to an official DoD letter sent to Sen. Carl Levin, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
“In our view, the renaming of the Department is unnecessary, would incur additional expense of several hundred thousands dollars a year over the next several years … and would not enhance the standing or reputation of the Marine Corps,' wrote Jeh Charles Johnson, DoD's general counsel.
Every year since 2001, Rep. Walter B. Jones, R-N.C., has spearheaded an effort to rename the department. Slow to gain support in its initial years, the bill passed the House this year with a record-breaking 425 co-sponsors.
A sister bill in the Senate, authored by Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., has been referred to the Armed Services Committee. The bill has yes to receive widespread support from the Senate, although this year it has an all-time high of 28 co-sponsors. |