Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act Enacted

Congress Enacted Laws (119th Congress)

Published February 18th, 2026

Detected February 26th, 2026

Summary

Congress has enacted the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act, establishing a time capsule to commemorate the United States' semiquincentennial. The Architect of the Capitol is tasked with its creation, with contents to be determined by congressional leadership.

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What changed

Public Law 119-79, the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act, has been enacted, mandating the creation of a congressional time capsule. The Architect of the Capitol will oversee the creation of this capsule, to be known as the "Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule." Its contents, including a joint letter from congressional leadership and other jointly determined items, must be made of durable materials and adhere to specific size limitations. The capsule is to be sealed and buried in the Capitol Visitor Center by July 4th, 2026.

This act primarily affects government operations and cultural commemoration. While it does not impose direct compliance obligations or deadlines on external entities, it establishes a new commemorative initiative. The Architect of the Capitol and congressional leadership are responsible for its implementation, with a target burial date aligning with other national semiquincentennial events.

What to do next

Coordinate with congressional leadership to determine contents for the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule.
Ensure capsule contents are made of durable, low-degradation materials.
Prepare the time capsule for sealing and burial by July 4, 2026.

Source document (simplified)

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S.3705 - Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act 119th Congress (2025-2026) |

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Text: S.3705 — 119th Congress (2025-2026) All Information (Except Text)

Listen There are 4 versions: Public Law (02/18/2026) Enrolled Bill Considered and Passed Senate (01/27/2026) Engrossed in Senate (01/27/2026)

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Statute at Large 140 Stat. 748 - Public Law No. 119-79 (02/18/2026)

PUBLIC LAW 119–79—FEB. 18, 2026 140 STAT. 748 Public Law 119–79 119th Congress

An Act To provide for the creation of a congressional time capsule in commemoration of the semiquincentennial of the United States, and for other purposes. Feb. 18, 2026

[S. 3705 ]

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act.

36 USC note

prec. 101.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the “ Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act ”.

SEC. 2. SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL CONGRESSIONAL TIME CAPSULE. (a) Creation by Architect of the Capitol.— The Architect of the Capitol shall create a congressional time capsule, to be known as the “Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule” (in this Act referred to as the “Time Capsule”). (b) Contents.— (1) Determination by congressional leadership.— The Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Office of the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Office of the Majority Leader of the Senate, and Office of the Minority Leader of the Senate shall jointly determine the contents of the Time Capsule, taking into account the requirements of paragraph (2). (2) Contents.— (A) In general.— The contents of the Time Capsule shall include— (i) a single, joint letter from the offices described in paragraph (1); and (ii) any other item that the offices described in paragraph (1) jointly determine appropriate. (B) Limitations.— Any item included in the Time Capsule under subparagraph (A)— (i) shall be made of materials that pose a low risk of degrading, such as metal or archival paper; and (ii) shall not be made of any organic or inorganic material that poses a high risk of degrading. (3) Size.— The Time Capsule shall be not more than 50 inches wide, 32 inches deep, and 48 inches high. (4) Consultation.— In carrying out this subsection, the offices described in paragraph (1) may consult with the Architect of the Capitol, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, and such other entities of the Federal Government as the offices consider appropriate. (c) Approvals.

Duties of Architect.— The Architect of the Capitol shall— 140 STAT. 749 (1) Deadline.

prepare the Time Capsule to be sealed and buried in the Capitol Visitor Center, at a location specified by the Architect, with the approval of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives, on or before July 4th, 2026, at a time which would permit individuals attending this event to also attend the burial of a time capsule in Independence Mall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, under section 7(f)(1) of the United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016 (36 U.S.C. 101 note prec.); and (2) install a plaque to provide such information about the Time Capsule as the Architect, with the approval of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives, considers appropriate. (d) Determination.

Unsealing.— The Time Capsule shall be sealed until July 4th, 2276, on which date the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Majority Leader of the Senate shall present the Time Capsule to the 244th Congress, and such Congress shall determine how the contents within should be preserved or used.

Approved February 18, 2026.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY — S. 3705: CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 172 (2026): Jan. 27, considered and passed Senate.

Feb. 9, considered and passed House.

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