Analyses / Public Summary / 119 · S 4138 Public Summary

119-S-4138 Journalist Public Summary

119 · S 4138 A bill to waive the 60-day notice requirement for the posthumous honorary promotion of Captain Cody Khork, United States Army.

military_tech Armed Forces and National Security
This act allows for the posthumous honorary promotion of Captain Cody Khork to the rank of major in the Army without the required 60-day notice to Congress.

A narrowly focused bill to waive a 60‑day notice so the Army can grant Captain Cody Khork a posthumous honorary promotion to major; it passed the Senate by unanimous consent on March 18, 2026 and now heads to the House.

Published
19 Mar 2026
Updated
19 Mar 2026
Unvetted
01 · Section

Headline Summary

This bill speeds up an honorary, posthumous promotion for a fallen Army officer by waiving a standard 60‑day notice period so Captain Cody Khork can be recognized as a major.

02 · Section

What It Does

S. 4138 is a one‑time exception that waives the 60‑day congressional notice requirement in 10 U.S.C. § 1563a(b) so the Army may grant Captain Cody Khork a posthumous honorary promotion to the rank of major without waiting. It doesn’t change promotion rules for others or create a new program; it simply accelerates this single recognition.

03 · Section

Who’s For It

  • Bipartisan support in the Senate: it passed by unanimous consent on March 18, 2026 (meaning no senator objected).
  • Backers frame it as a respectful, timely way to honor service and ensure the individual is formally recognized at the higher rank.
  • Because the bill is narrowly tailored, supporters see minimal policy downside and a clear symbolic purpose.
04 · Section

Who’s Against It

  • No formal or organized opposition has been recorded so far.
  • Possible concerns (often raised in similar, individual‑specific measures) include: setting a precedent for case‑by‑case legislative waivers, fairness to other families awaiting recognition, and bypassing standard review timelines.
05 · Section

What’s Next

As of March 19, 2026, the bill has passed the Senate and now goes to the House of Representatives. If the House passes it and the President signs it, the waiver becomes law and the honorary promotion can proceed promptly.

Discussion