# Plain Language Summary: Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act

Congress is creating a time capsule to celebrate America's 250th birthday in 2026. The Architect of the Capitol (the person who manages the Capitol building) will build this capsule and bury it on the West Lawn of the Capitol on or before July 4th, 2026. The timing is specifically planned so people can attend both this burial and another time capsule ceremony happening the same day in Philadelphia.

The leaders of Congress—the Speaker of the House, the Minority Leader of the House, the Senate Majority Leader, and the Senate Minority Leader—will decide together what goes inside the capsule. It will contain items related to America's 250-year history, copies of important Congressional achievements and milestones, a message from today's Congress to future members, and whatever else these leaders think is appropriate. They can also ask the Smithsonian Institution and other government agencies for advice on what to include.

The time capsule will be sealed and buried, with a plaque installed to explain what it is. Here's the really long-term part: it won't be opened until July 4th, 2276—exactly 250 years later. When that day comes, the Speaker of the House will present the capsule to Congress at that time, and they'll decide what to do with the contents. The bill authorizes whatever funding is needed to make this happen, and that money can be used for as long as it takes to complete the project.

Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act

Watson Coleman, Bonnie

Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule ActThis bill requires the Architect of the Capitol to create a congressional time capsule in honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence to be buried on the west lawn of the Capitol on or before July 4, 2026. Congressional leadership will determine the contents of the time capsule, and the time capsule shall be sealed until July 4, 2276.