Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S298; text: CR S298)
The Act directs the Architect of the Capitol to create and seal a Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule to be buried in the Capitol Visitor Center by July 4, 2026.
Congressional leadership (majority and minority leaders of both chambers and the Speaker) will jointly determine contents, which must be low-degrading materials and fit size limits.
The Architect will install an informational plaque; the capsule remains sealed until July 4, 2276, when the 244th Congress will decide its disposition.
Narrow, symbolic, low fiscal impact, and explicitly bipartisan administrative choices create strong chances of enactment; only minor procedural hurdles remain.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a well-specified commemorative measure that clearly defines purpose, responsible parties, content constraints, physical specifications, and temporal milestones, but omits fiscal authorization and detailed long-term stewardship or contingency provisions.
Who chooses contents: leadership control vs broader inclusion
Who chooses contents: leadership control vs broader inclusion
Likely views the bill as a largely symbolic, low-cost commemoration that could honor the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Concerns will focus on content selection by congressional leadership and the potential exclusion of diverse or marginalized perspectives.
Supportive if the process is transparent and inclusive; otherwise wary of partisan messaging.
Likely views the bill as a routine, low‑stakes ceremonial measure appropriate for the semiquincentennial.
Generally supportive but seeking simple procedural safeguards: clarity on approvals, modest budget transparency, and minimal risk of politicization.
Sees bipartisan leadership control as practical but wants some broader consultation.
Likely supportive as a patriotic, tradition‑oriented, and noncontroversial commemoration honoring national history.
Prefers limited, symbolic federal involvement rather than ongoing programs.
Generally comfortable with leadership-determined contents and the preservation focus.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Narrow, symbolic, low fiscal impact, and explicitly bipartisan administrative choices create strong chances of enactment; only minor procedural hurdles remain.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Who chooses contents: leadership control vs broader inclusion
Narrow, symbolic, low fiscal impact, and explicitly bipartisan administrative choices create strong chances of enactment; only minor proced…
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a well-specified commemorative measure that clearly defines purpose, responsible parties, content constraints, physical specifications, and temporal milestones, bu…
Go beyond the headline summary with full stakeholder mapping, legislative design analysis, passage barriers, and lens-by-lens tradeoff breakdowns.