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Public Law119th CongressCongress
S. 3705Became Law

Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act

This bill became law

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Law

What it doesSummary public law (Feb 18, 2026)

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. 

What just happenedFeb 18, 2026

Became Public Law No: 119-79.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC](R-NC)Sponsor
3 cosponsors2 D1 R
Read on Congress.gov
3cosponsors17actions1related bills5subjects
  1. Feb 18, 2026PresidentE40000

    Became Public Law No: 119-79.

  2. Feb 18, 2026BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 119-79.

  3. Feb 18, 2026PresidentE30000

    Signed by President.

  4. Feb 18, 2026BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Feb 12, 2026FloorE20000

    Presented to President.

  6. Feb 12, 2026President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Feb 9, 2026FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  8. Feb 9, 2026FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2046-2047)

  9. Feb 9, 2026Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2046-2047)

  10. Feb 9, 2026FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3705.

  11. Feb 9, 2026FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2046-2048)

  12. Feb 9, 2026FloorH30300

    Mrs. Bice moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

  13. Feb 2, 2026FloorH15000

    Held at the desk.

  14. Feb 2, 2026FloorH14000

    Received in the House.

  15. Jan 27, 2026Floor

    Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S298; text: CR S298)

  16. Jan 27, 2026Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent.

  17. Jan 27, 2026IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Public LawFeb 18, 202649

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. 

Passed SenateJan 27, 202655

Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act

This bill 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 and such other contents as they shall determine. The time capsule shall be sealed until July 4, 2276. 

Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act — Informed