Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act
Introduced Jan 27, 2026 by Sen. Thomas Tillis
Signed into law.
This act 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 in the Capitol Visitor Center on or before July 4, 2026.
The time capsule shall contain a joint letter from congressional leadership (the Speaker and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate) and such other contents as they shall determine.
The act directs the Architect of the Capitol to also install a plaque about the time capsule, subject to the approval of the Committee on House Administration of the House and the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate.
The time capsule shall be sealed until July 4, 2276. On that date, the Speaker of the House and the Senate Majority Leader shall present the time capsule to the 244th Congress.
Summary by the Congressional Research Service.
No recorded roll-call vote on this bill — it may have passed by voice vote or unanimous consent, which don't record individual votes.
- Feb 18, 2026Became Public Law No: 119-79.
- Feb 18, 2026Signed by President.
- Feb 12, 2026Presented to President.
- Feb 9, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Feb 9, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2046-2047)
- Feb 9, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2046-2047)
- Feb 9, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3705.
- Feb 9, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2046-2048)
- Feb 9, 2026Mrs. Bice moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- Feb 2, 2026Held at the desk.
- Feb 2, 2026Received in the House.
- Jan 27, 2026Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S298; text: CR S298)
- Jan 27, 2026Passed/agreed to in Senate: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Jan 27, 2026Introduced in Senate