S. 3705 · Where this bill is now
Became law
Public Law 119-79, Feb 18, 2026
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryCongress buries a time capsule for 2276
This bill requires the Architect of the Capitol to create a time capsule honoring the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and bury it in the Capitol Visitor Center by July 4, 2026. The capsule will hold a joint letter from congressional leaders and other items they choose, along with a plaque explaining it. The capsule stays sealed until July 4, 2276, when future congressional leaders will open it and present it to Congress 250 years later.
How it affects you
This is a commemorative project with no direct effect on everyday life. It's a symbolic gesture for future Americans, allowing Congress to leave a message for people living in the year 2276.
Read the official summary (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 250 th 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.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
2nd SessionS. 3705
AN ACT
Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act
Sponsor: Sen. Thomas Tillis (R-NC) · Introduced Jan 27, 2026 · Congress · 3 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Feb 18, 2026: “Became Public Law No: 119-79.”
Sections
The wording of this bill hasn’t changed across its 3 official versions.