119th Congress (2025-2026)

HR 6243

Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act

In Committee

Jurisdiction

US Congress

Session

119th Congress (2025-2026)

Official source

Chamber

House

Session

119th Congress (2025-2026)

Jurisdiction

US Congress

Bill overview

This bill directs the Architect of the Capitol to create a congressional time capsule, known as the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. The contents will be jointly determined by congressional leadership and will include a letter, commemorative coins, and other durable items. The time capsule will be buried in the Capitol Visitor Center and sealed until 2276, when it will be opened and presented to the 244th Congress.

Key provisions

The Architect of the Capitol will create the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule.
Congressional leadership will jointly determine the contents of the time capsule.
The time capsule must include a joint letter, commemorative coins, and other durable items.
The time capsule’s dimensions are limited to 50 inches wide, 32 inches deep, and 48 inches high.
The time capsule will be buried in the Capitol Visitor Center.
The time capsule will be sealed until July 4th, 2276.
The 244th Congress will determine how the contents of the time capsule will be preserved or used.
The Architect of the Capitol must install a plaque providing information about the time capsule.

Who is affected

Congress
The Architect of the Capitol
The Smithsonian Institution
Future Congresses
The Public

Notable changes

Establishes a specific time capsule to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Positions across the country

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Legislative history

2025-11-20House

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.

2025-11-20House

2025-11-20

Introduced in House

2025-11-20

Introduced in House

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Nov 20, 2025XMLView source

119th CONGRESS — 1st Session

H. R. 6243

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

A BILL

To provide for the creation of a congressional time capsule in commemoration of the semiquincentennial of the United States, and for other purposes.

1.Short Title

This Act may be cited as the

Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act

2.Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule

(a)Creation by Architect of the CapitolThe Architect of the Capitol shall create a congressional time capsule, to be known as the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule (in this Act referred to as the Time Capsule).

(b)Contents

(1)Determination by congressional leadershipThe Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Office of the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Office of the Majority Leader of the Senate, and Office of the Minority Leader of the Senate shall jointly determine the contents of the Time Capsule, taking into account the requirements of paragraph (2).

(2)Contents

(A)In general

The contents of the Time Capsule shall include—

(i)

a single, joint letter from the offices described in paragraph (1);

(ii)

coins minted by the Secretary of the Treasury in commemoration of the semiquincentennial anniversary of the establishment of the United States; and

(iii)

any other item that the offices described in paragraph (1) jointly determine appropriate.

(B)Limitations

Any item included in the Time Capsule under subparagraph (A)—

(i)

shall be made of materials that pose a low risk of degrading, such as metal or archival paper; and

(ii)shall not be made of any organic or inorganic material that poses a high risk of degrading.

(3)Size

The Time Capsule shall be not more than 50 inches wide, 32 inches deep, and 48 inches high.

(4)Consultation

In carrying out this subsection, the offices described in paragraph (1) may consult with the Architect of the Capitol, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, and such other entities of the Federal Government as the offices consider appropriate.

(c)Duties of Architect

The Architect of the Capitol shall—

(1)prepare the Time Capsule to be sealed and buried in the Capitol Visitor Center, at a location specified by the Architect, with the approval of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives, on or before July 4th, 2026, at a time which would permit individuals attending this event to also attend the burial of a time capsule in Independence Mall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, under section 7(f)(1) of the United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016 (36 U.S.C. 101 note prec.); and

(2)install a plaque to provide such information about the Time Capsule as the Architect, with the approval of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives, considers appropriate.

(d)UnsealingThe Time Capsule shall be sealed until July 4th, 2276, on which date the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall present the Time Capsule to the 244th Congress, and such Congress shall determine how the contents within should be preserved or used.

HR 6243

Bill overview

Key provisions

Who is affected

Notable changes

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Cosponsors

Positions across the country

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Bill text

Positions across the country