Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act

The law creates an official congressional record for the nation’s semiquincentennial and preserves it for presentation to Congress 250 years later.

What the law does ​

• Requires the Architect of the Capitol to bury the capsule in the Capitol Visitor Center by July 4, 2026.
• Directs top House and Senate leadership offices to jointly select the contents, including a leadership letter and any other approved items.
• Requires durable materials, limits the capsule’s size, and keeps it sealed until July 4, 2276.
• Requires the burial location to receive approval from the relevant House and Senate committees and to have an informational plaque.
• Directs the Speaker of the House and Senate Majority Leader to present the capsule to the 244th Congress, which will decide how to preserve or use its contents.

Who it affects ​

• The Architect of the Capitol and congressional leadership offices.
• House and Senate committees responsible for congressional administration.
• The 244th Congress convening in 2276.

Context ​

The capsule commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Breakdown ​

Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act ​

This law directs the Architect of the Capitol to create and bury a congressional time capsule commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States. The capsule must be buried in the Capitol Visitor Center by July 4, 2026, and remain sealed until July 4, 2276.

Key takeaways

• The offices of the top House and Senate leaders must jointly select the capsule’s contents.
• The capsule must contain a joint letter from congressional leadership and may include other items they jointly approve.
• All included items must use materials with a low risk of degrading, and the capsule cannot exceed the specified size limits.
• The Architect of the Capitol must choose the burial location with approval from the Senate and House committees responsible for congressional administration and install an informational plaque.
• On July 4, 2276, the Speaker of the House and Senate Majority Leader must present the capsule to the 244th Congress, which will decide how to preserve or use its contents.