Cory Booker Aircraft Carrier Legislation, What the Three Bills Say About the USS Doris Miller

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) has introduced three bills on how the U.S. Navy names its ships and on the proposed name of the future USS Doris Miller (CVN-81), a Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier under construction. They were introduced on September 30, 2026, after reports that Navy leadership had discussed naming the carrier for President Donald Trump instead.

The bills are S. 5678, S. 5679 and S. 5680. All three were referred to the Senate Armed Services Committee. None has passed the Senate or House, and none is law. This is proposed legislation, not a lawsuit or settlement, so there is no claim form or deadline.

Quick Facts: Booker’s USS Doris Miller Legislation

Detail	Information
Senator	Cory A. Booker, D-N.J.
Aircraft carrier	Future USS Doris Miller (CVN-81), Gerald R. Ford class
Bills	S. 5678, S. 5679 and S. 5680
Introduced	September 30, 2026
Committee	Senate Armed Services Committee
Status	Referred to committee; no vote; not law
Navy’s name announcement	January 2020
Consumer lawsuit / claim form / deadline	None

Why Cory Booker Introduced Bills on the USS Doris Miller

The Navy announced in January 2020 that a future Ford-class carrier would be named for Doris Miller, making CVN-81 the first aircraft carrier named for an African American and for an enlisted sailor. In August 2026, NBC News reported that two U.S. officials said Navy leadership was discussing renaming it for Donald Trump. The report did not establish that a final decision had been made, and the ship is still under construction. The bills respond to that possibility.

What Is S. 5678? The Navy Vessel Naming Process Bill

S. 5678 is titled “A bill to require the Secretary of the Navy to establish a process for naming of Naval vessels, and for other purposes.” It is broader than the carrier dispute: instead of addressing the USS Doris Miller alone, it would require a formal process for naming Navy vessels. Its effect would depend on the detailed text and how the Navy implemented it.

What Is S. 5679? The Bill on Naming Navy Ships for a Sitting President

S. 5679 is titled “A bill to prohibit the naming or renaming of a Naval vessel for an individual serving as the President or Vice President.” It sets a general rule that could apply beyond CVN-81.

What Is S. 5680? The Bill to Protect the USS Doris Miller Name

S. 5680 addresses the carrier directly. Its title is “A bill to prohibit the use of Federal funds to rename, redesignate, or otherwise change the name of the vessel designated as CVN-81 from the ‘USS Doris Miller’.” If enacted in its current form, federal funds could not be used to change CVN-81’s name away from USS Doris Miller. Until then it has no force of law.

Has Booker’s USS Doris Miller Legislation Passed?

No. All three bills are at the committee stage. The committee could hold hearings or markups, amend and report them, or take no action. To become law, a bill would need to pass both chambers in the same form and be signed by the president. It would be premature to say Booker has stopped a renaming.

Can the USS Doris Miller Name Still Be Changed?

As of October 2, 2026, none of the three bills is law, so no enacted statute from them prevents a name change. Reports of discussions about a change also should not be treated as a completed renaming. The next developments would be Senate Armed Services Committee action, further Senate action or an official Navy decision on the ship’s name.

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Who Decides Navy Ship Names: The Navy or Congress?

Ship names have traditionally been selected by the Secretary of the Navy, and carriers have often been named for presidents. Congress also holds constitutional authority to make rules for the government and regulation of the naval forces (Article I, Section 8, Clause 14), which is the basis on which Congress can legislate on naming. Booker’s bills would add statutory rules, but whether and how they would work depends on their final text if enacted.

Who Was Doris Miller, the Namesake of CVN-81?

Doris “Dorie” Miller served as a mess attendant aboard the battleship USS West Virginia during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He was not trained on the ship’s anti-aircraft weapon, but after being ordered to help the wounded commanding officer he operated a .50-caliber machine gun until it ran out of ammunition, and he helped move wounded sailors to safety. He received the Navy Cross. Miller died in 1943 when the escort carrier USS Liscome Bay was torpedoed and sunk.

When Did the Navy Name CVN-81 the USS Doris Miller?

The Navy announced the name in January 2020, during President Trump’s first term, at Pearl Harbor. Then-Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas B. Modly said a future Ford-class carrier would honor Miller. CVN-81 is the fourth ship in the Ford class.

Is There a Lawsuit or Claim Process for the USS Doris Miller Naming Dispute?

No. Booker’s measures are congressional bills, not court cases. There is no consumer class action, settlement, compensation fund or deadline. People searching “Cory Booker aircraft carrier lawsuit” should know this is a legislative dispute.

Cory Booker USS Doris Miller Legislation Timeline

Date	Development
Dec. 7, 1941	Doris Miller serves during the Pearl Harbor attack
1942	Miller receives the Navy Cross
1943	Miller dies aboard USS Liscome Bay
Jan. 2020	Navy announces CVN-81 will be named USS Doris Miller
Aug. 2026	Reports emerge that Navy leadership is discussing a possible name change
Sept. 30, 2026	Booker introduces S. 5678, S. 5679 and S. 5680; all referred to Senate Armed Services Committee
Oct. 2, 2026	Bills remain pending; none is law

FAQs: Cory Booker Aircraft Carrier Legislation

What are Cory Booker’s three aircraft carrier bills?

S. 5678 (a Navy vessel-naming process), S. 5679 (no naming or renaming a ship for a sitting president or vice president) and S. 5680 (no federal funds to rename CVN-81 from USS Doris Miller).

Is the USS Doris Miller being renamed after Donald Trump?

Not according to the record reviewed. Reports say Navy leadership has discussed it, but no final renaming has been established.

Has Booker’s legislation passed?

No. The bills were introduced and referred to the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Can S. 5680 stop a renaming?

If enacted as written, it would bar federal funds from being used to rename CVN-81. For now it is only a proposed bill.

When was the USS Doris Miller name announced?

January 2020.

Is there a lawsuit or claim form?

No. These are proposed federal laws, so there is no claim process.

What happens next?

The Senate Armed Services Committee can act on the bills, and further Senate and House action would be needed before any could become law.

Sources for the Booker USS Doris Miller Legislation

1. Senate legislative records for S. 5678, S. 5679 and S. 5680 (119th Congress).
2. U.S. Navy press release, January 2020, “Navy to Name Future Ford Class Aircraft Carrier After WWII Hero Doris Miller.”
3. NBC News, August 2026, report on Navy discussions about renaming the carrier.
4. U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8, Clause 14.

This article is informational and descriptive only. It does not take a position on the carrier’s name, is not legal advice, and does not predict the outcome of the legislation. Proposed legislation is not law unless it is enacted.

Researched and written by Israr Ahmad, legal content researcher and founder of AllAboutLawyer.com. All facts verified against the Senate legislative records for S. 5678, S. 5679 and S. 5680, the U.S. Navy’s January 2020 press release and NBC News reporting, as of October 2, 2026. Last Updated: October 2, 2026.