S 3705 · enacted · symbolic

Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act

What this bill does

The bill directs the Architect of the Capitol to create a time capsule for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Congressional leadership will contribute a joint letter and determine other contents for the capsule.
The capsule must be buried in the Capitol Visitor Center by July 4, 2026, and sealed until July 4, 2276.

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Community Threads

Started by Cosponsor

01
How should congressional leaders decide what documents or artifacts best represent our current era for people 250 years from the now?
02
What criteria would help determine which items placed in the time capsule will remain meaningful and historically valuable to Americans in 2276?
03
Beyond the joint congressional letter, what specific contemporary records or objects do you think should be included to authentically capture this moment in history?

Cosponsor writes these to seed civic discussion — they aren't user posts. Sign in to reply.

Sponsor · R-NC

Thom Tillis

Citizen cosponsors

In Congress

3/ 100

Senators cosponsoring

Introduced 2026-02-18

Joining the bill

Legislative timeline

2026-02-18 · President
Became Public Law No: 119-79.
2026-02-18 · BecameLaw
Became Public Law No: 119-79.
2026-02-18 · President
Signed by President.
2026-02-18 · BecameLaw
Signed by President.
2026-02-12 · house · Floor
Presented to President.
2026-02-12 · President
Presented to President.
2026-02-09 · house · Floor
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2026-02-09 · house · Floor
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2046-2047)
2026-02-09 · Floor
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2046-2047)
2026-02-09 · house · Floor
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3705.
2026-02-09 · house · Floor
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2046-2048)
2026-02-09 · house · Floor
Mrs. Bice moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
2026-02-02 · house · Floor
Held at the desk.
2026-02-02 · house · Floor
Received in the House.
2026-01-27 · senate · Floor
Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S298; text: CR S298)
2026-01-27 · Floor
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
2026-01-27 · IntroReferral
Introduced in Senate

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