Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act

Create a congressional time capsule

If enacted, the bill would require the Architect of the Capitol to create a "Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule." The capsule would be placed in the Capitol Visitor Center and sealed and buried there on or before July 4, 2026, timed to allow attendance at a simultaneous burial in Independence Mall, Philadelphia. House and Senate leaders' offices would jointly pick the contents; the capsule must include one joint letter and coins minted by the Treasury, and may include other jointly approved items. Items would have to be low‑decay materials (for example, metal or archival paper) and not contain materials that risk degrading. The capsule's outside size would be limited to 50 inches wide, 32 inches deep, and 48 inches high. The Architect would install an informational plaque with approval from the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and the House Committee on House Administration. The Time Capsule would remain sealed until July 4, 2276, when the Speaker would present it to the 244th Congress for disposition.