Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 469
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Congress
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-27: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-11T16:23:25Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation aims to commemorate the 250th anniversary (semiquincentennial) of the United States by creating and burying a Congressional time capsule on the Capitol grounds. The capsule will preserve items related to American history, Congress's role, and the nation's milestones for future generations to open in 2276.
Key Provisions
- Creation and Oversight: The Architect of the Capitol is responsible for building and preparing the "Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule." Congressional leadership offices (Speaker and Minority Leader of the House, Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate) jointly decide its contents.
- Contents of the Capsule:
- A selection of books, manuscripts, printed materials, memorabilia, relics, and other items tied to the U.S. Semiquincentennial celebrations.
- Copies or examples of key legislative achievements and institutional developments in Congress up to the burial date.
- A message from the current Congress addressed to the Congress of 2276.
- Additional items as deemed suitable by the leadership offices.
- Consultation Process: Leadership offices can seek advice from the Architect of the Capitol, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, and other federal entities.
- Burial and Maintenance:
- The capsule must be sealed and buried on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol at a site chosen by the Architect, no later than July 4, 2026. The timing allows attendees to also participate in a related time capsule burial in Philadelphia's Independence Mall.
- A plaque will be installed nearby with details about the capsule as determined by the Architect.
- Unsealing: The capsule remains sealed until July 4, 2276, when the Speaker of the House presents it to the 244th Congress, which will then decide how to preserve or use its contents.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This act introduces entirely new requirements, as there is no prior federal law mandating a Congressional time capsule for the semiquincentennial. It builds on the United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016 by coordinating with that commission's planned Philadelphia event but does not amend existing statutes directly.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Architect of the Capitol will handle preparation, burial, and plaque installation, involving minor resource allocation. Congressional leadership offices will invest time in content selection and consultations, with possible involvement from the Smithsonian Institution.
- Citizens: Primarily symbolic, offering a way for the public to connect with national history through potential attendance at the 2026 burial event. It has no direct financial or regulatory effects on individuals.
- International Relations: Negligible impact, as the act focuses on domestic commemoration without foreign policy elements.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Congressional Leadership: House and Senate leaders who determine contents and oversee the process.
- Architect of the Capitol: Directly responsible for physical creation, burial, and maintenance.
- Smithsonian Institution: May provide advisory input on historical materials.
- Future Congress (244th): Will receive and decide the fate of the capsule's contents in 2276.
- General Public and Historians: Indirectly affected through preserved cultural and legislative heritage.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Straightforward implementation with no enforcement mechanisms or penalties; relies on voluntary cooperation among federal offices. The act ensures coordination with existing semiquincentennial planning under prior law.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority over its facilities (Capitol grounds) and commemorative activities, posing no conflicts with constitutional principles.
- Political: Serves as a bipartisan, non-controversial gesture of national unity and legacy-building, potentially fostering public engagement with democratic institutions without partisan implications.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
Cosponsors (26)
Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Aderholt, Robert B. [R-AL-4], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. McClain, Lisa C. [R-MI-9], Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3], Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1], Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6], Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7], Rep. Crawford, Eric A. "Rick" [R-AR-1], Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15]
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-27: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
- 2025-02-26: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-02-26: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H855-856)
- 2025-02-26: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H855-856)
- 2025-02-26: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 469.
- 2025-02-26: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H855-857)
- 2025-02-26: Mr. Steil moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 2025-01-16: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- 2025-01-15: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-01-15: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-01-15: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-15: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act — issued 2025-02-26 — PDF (6 pages)
- Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act — issued 2025-01-15 — PDF (4 pages)
- Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act — issued 2025-02-27 — PDF (4 pages)