Congress·In Committee·H.R. 6243

U.S. 250th Anniversary: Congressional Time Capsule

Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act

4 months ago·View on Congress.gov

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Stalled

No legislative action in over 90 days.

Legislative Progress

House

Senate

President

Law

Key Points

Congress is planning to create a special time capsule to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026. This project is led by Representative Watson Coleman and a group of bipartisan sponsors.
The capsule will be buried at the Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, D.C., and is scheduled to stay sealed for 250 years. It is not meant to be opened until July 4, 2276.
Leaders from both the House and Senate will choose what goes inside. The contents must include a joint letter from leadership and special commemorative coins made by the U.S. Treasury.
To make sure the items last for centuries, the law requires that everything inside be made of materials like metal or archival paper that will not rot or break down over time.
The Architect of the Capitol will be responsible for building the capsule and installing a plaque at the site so future generations know what is buried there and when to open it.

Milestones

3 milestones3 actions

Nov 21, 2025House

Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

Nov 20, 2025House

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.

Nov 20, 2025

Introduced in House