Federal · 119th Congress · Senate bill
S. 3705: Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act
Became law Public Law 119-79 Official data
- Introduced
- Reported by committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Sent to President
- Became law
Last official action: · Record last updated:
Official summary
Written by the Congressional Research Service (CRS), Library of Congress for the version “Public Law”, February 18, 2026. Reproduced verbatim.
Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act
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.
Official actions
- Became Public Law No: 119-79.
- Signed by President.
- Presented to President.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2046-2047)
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Introduced in Senate