S. 3705: Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act

This bill, known as the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act, aims to establish a time capsule to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026. Here is a summary of the key provisions:

Creation of the Time Capsule

The Architect of the Capitol is tasked with creating a time capsule officially named the "Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule." This time capsule will hold various items that represent the current state and history of the country.

Contents of the Time Capsule

The contents will be determined collaboratively by several congressional leaders, specifically:

• The Speaker of the House
• The Minority Leader of the House
• The Majority Leader of the Senate
• The Minority Leader of the Senate

These leaders will decide what to include, which will generally consist of:

• A single, joint letter from the aforementioned leaders.
• Any additional items they mutually consider appropriate.

Importantly, all items included in the time capsule must be made of low-degradation materials, such as metal or archival paper, avoiding any materials that are likely to degrade over time.

Specifications of the Time Capsule

The time capsule must be designed within specific size limitations, with its dimensions not exceeding 50 inches wide, 32 inches deep, and 48 inches high.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Architect of the Capitol has several responsibilities regarding the time capsule:

• To prepare the time capsule for sealing and burial in the Capitol Visitor Center by July 4th, 2026.
• The burial event will be timed to coincide with a similar event occurring at Independence Mall in Philadelphia.
• To install a plaque providing information about the time capsule, with the approval of relevant congressional committees.

Unsealing of the Time Capsule

The time capsule will remain sealed until July 4th, 2276. On this date, it will be presented to the 244th Congress, which will decide how the contents should be preserved or used moving forward.

Timeline

• Creation and burial planned for July 4th, 2026.
• Unsealing scheduled for July 4th, 2276.

Consultation

While determining the contents and ensuring the time capsule's creation, congressional leaders may consult with the Architect of the Capitol, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, and other relevant federal entities.

Relevant Companies

None found