119-HCONRES-79 Journalist Public Summary

Public Summary of H. Con. Res. 79 (119th Congress)

Headline Summary: A bipartisan resolution to allow the remains of six U.S. Air Force service members to lie in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.

What It Does: Authorizes the use of the Capitol Rotunda for a lying in state ceremony honoring Air Force Major John A. Klinner, Captain Ariana G. Savino, Captain Seth R. Koval, Captain Curtis J. Angst, Technical Sergeant Ashley B. Pruitt, and Technical Sergeant Tyler H. Simmons, who served with distinction in support of Operation Epic Fury. The Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate would set the date, and the Architect of the Capitol would handle arrangements.

• Who’s For It: Introduced by Rep. Brian Mast (R–FL) and Rep. Joyce Beatty (D–OH), indicating bipartisan support. Backers generally say a lying in state ceremony is a fitting national honor to recognize extraordinary service and sacrifice.
• Likely Supporters: Many members of both parties, veterans’ caucuses, and military and veterans’ organizations that favor national recognition of fallen service members.

• Who’s Against It: No organized opposition is noted in the text. Potential concerns some might raise include preserving the rarity of lying in state honors, questions about criteria and precedent (versus the separate “lying in honor” tradition), and logistical or cost considerations.

What’s Next: As of March 18, 2026, the resolution has been referred to the House Committee on House Administration. If the committee advances it, the full House would vote; the Senate would also need to adopt the concurrent resolution. Once both chambers agree, congressional leaders would select the date and the Architect of the Capitol would make arrangements.