A new federal commission charged with renaming military sites named for Confederate leaders has three years to complete its work. The appointees are likely to face significant political pressure from local officials and members of Congress as they review and propose changes to a host of military locations named for Confederate officers and officials.

The most prominent of these are 10 Army installations, including Fort Bragg. Some conservative lawmakers have worked to block the changes, arguing the move would be confusing and upsetting to communities surrounding the well-known sites. Under the rules laid out by Congress in the fiscal 2021 defense authorization act, the panel will develop plans to replace the names while “incorporating local sensitivities associated with the naming or renaming
of assets.”

President Joe Biden is on record supporting name changes. The commission must submit its report on recommendations regarding military sites by October 2022. Under the law, the Secretary of Defense must implement the commission’s plan no later than Jan. 1, 2024.