Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act

Bill: 118-hr-6394
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
Introduced: 2023-11-13
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Congressional leadership

Historical and cultural resources

U.S. Capitol

U.S. history
Latest action: action_date: 2024-12-17
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

Summaries:
action_date: 2023-11-13
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act</strong></p><p>This bill requires the Architect of the Capitol to create a congressional time capsule in honor of the 250<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the Declaration of Independence to be buried on the west lawn of the Capitol on or before July 4, 2026. Congressional leadership will determine the contents of the time capsule, and the time capsule shall be sealed until July 4, 2276.</p>

action_date: 2024-11-19
action_desc: Reported to House
text: <p><strong>Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act</strong></p><p>This bill requires the Architect of the Capitol to create a congressional time capsule in honor of the 250<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the Declaration of Independence to be buried on the west lawn of the Capitol on or before July 4, 2026. Congressional leadership will determine the contents of the time capsule, and the time capsule shall be sealed until July 4, 2276.</p>

action_date: 2024-12-16
action_desc: Passed House
text: <p><strong>Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act</strong></p><p>This bill requires the Architect of the Capitol to create a congressional time capsule in honor of the 250<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the Declaration of Independence to be buried on the west lawn of the Capitol on or before July 4, 2026. Congressional leadership will determine the contents of the time capsule, and the time capsule shall be sealed until July 4, 2276.</p>

tv_txt: IIB 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6394 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 17 (legislative day, December 16), 2024 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration 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.

1. Short Title This Act may be cited as the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act . 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) Specifications The contents of the Time Capsule shall include— (A) a representative portion of all books, manuscripts, miscellaneous printed matter, memorabilia, relics, and other materials relating to the United States Semiquincentennial; (B) copies or representations of important legislative and institutional milestones of Congress during the time before the Time Capsule is buried; (C) a message from Congress to the future Congress when the Time Capsule will be opened; and (D) such other content as the offices described in paragraph (1) consider appropriate. (3) 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) Duties of Architect The Architect of the Capitol shall— (1) prepare the Time Capsule to be sealed and buried on the West Lawn of the Capitol, at a location specified by the Architect, 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 considers appropriate. (d) Unsealing The Time Capsule shall be sealed until July 4th, 2276, on which date the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall present the Time Capsule to the 244th Congress, and such Congress shall determine how the contents within should be preserved or used.

Passed the House of Representatives December 16, 2024. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6394 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 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.

1. Short Title This Act may be cited as the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act . 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) Specifications The contents of the Time Capsule shall include— (A) a representative portion of all books, manuscripts, miscellaneous printed matter, memorabilia, relics, and other materials relating to the United States Semiquincentennial; (B) copies or representations of important legislative and institutional milestones of Congress during the time before the Time Capsule is buried; (C) a message from Congress to the future Congress when the Time Capsule will be opened; and (D) such other content as the offices described in paragraph (1) consider appropriate. (3) 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) Duties of Architect The Architect of the Capitol shall— (1) prepare the Time Capsule to be sealed and buried on the West Lawn of the Capitol, at a location specified by the Architect, 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 considers appropriate. (d) Unsealing The Time Capsule shall be sealed until July 4th, 2276, on which date the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall present the Time Capsule to the 244th Congress, and such Congress shall determine how the contents within should be preserved or used.

Passed the House of Representatives December 16, 2024. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.

tv_txt: IB Union Calendar No. 626 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6394 [Report No. 118–755, Part I] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 13, 2023 Mrs. Watson Coleman (for herself, Ms. Salazar , Mr. Evans , Mr. Aderholt , Mrs. McClain , Mr. Boyle of Pennsylvania , Mr. Pappas , Mrs. Trahan , Mr. Raskin , Mr. Wittman , Mr. Nehls , Mr. Davis of North Carolina , Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania , Ms. Titus , Mr. Tonko , Mr. Gottheimer , Mr. Kean of New Jersey , and Mr. Lawler ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration , and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned November 19, 2024 Additional sponsors: Ms. McClellan , Mr. Carter of Louisiana , Mr. Bishop of Georgia , Mr. Payne , Ms. Houlahan , Mr. Van Drew , Mrs. Miller of West Virginia , Ms. Sherrill , Mr. Wenstrup , Mr. Jackson of Illinois , Mrs. Hayes , Mr. Pallone , Mr. Thanedar , Mr. Kim of New Jersey , Mr. Latta , Mr. McGovern , Mr. Owens , Ms. Norton , Ms. Porter , Mr. Harder of California , Mr. Carson , Ms. Adams , Ms. Chu , Mr. Trone , Mrs. Beatty , Ms. Plaskett , Mr. Krishnamoorthi , Ms. Scanlon , Mrs. Fletcher , Mr. Fleischmann , Mr. Costa , Mr. Johnson of Georgia , Ms. Jackson Lee , Mr. Crawford , Mr. Molinaro , Ms. Stefanik , Mr. Kennedy , Mr. Reschenthaler , Mr. Morelle , Mr. Ciscomani , Mr. Meuser , Mr. Norcross , and Mr. Wilson of South Carolina November 19, 2024 Reported from the Committee on House Administration November 19, 2024 Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed A BILL To provide for the creation of a Congressional time capsule in commemoration of the semiquincentennial of the United States, and for other purposes.

1. Short Title This Act may be cited as the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act . 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) Specifications The contents of the Time Capsule shall include— (A) a representative portion of all books, manuscripts, miscellaneous printed matter, memorabilia, relics, and other materials relating to the United States Semiquincentennial; (B) copies or representations of important legislative and institutional milestones of Congress during the time before the Time Capsule is buried; (C) a message from Congress to the future Congress when the Time Capsule will be opened; and (D) such other content as the offices described in paragraph (1) consider appropriate. (3) 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) Duties of Architect The Architect of the Capitol shall— (1) prepare the Time Capsule to be sealed and buried on the West Lawn of the Capitol, at a location specified by the Architect, 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 considers appropriate. (d) Unsealing The Time Capsule shall be sealed until July 4th, 2276, on which date the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall present the Time Capsule to the 244th Congress, and such Congress shall determine how the contents within should be preserved or used. (e) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act, and any amounts so appropriated shall remain available until expended.

November 19, 2024 Reported from the Committee on House Administration November 19, 2024 Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 6394 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 13, 2023 Mrs. Watson Coleman (for herself, Ms. Salazar , Mr. Evans , Mr. Aderholt , Mrs. McClain , Mr. Boyle of Pennsylvania , Mr. Pappas , Mrs. Trahan , Mr. Raskin , Mr. Wittman , Mr. Nehls , Mr. Davis of North Carolina , Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania , Ms. Titus , Mr. Tonko , Mr. Gottheimer , Mr. Kean of New Jersey , and Mr. Lawler ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration , and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To provide for the creation of a Congressional time capsule in commemoration of the semiquincentennial of the United States, and for other purposes.

1. Short Title This Act may be cited as the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act . 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) Specifications The contents of the Time Capsule shall include— (A) a representative portion of all books, manuscripts, miscellaneous printed matter, memorabilia, relics, and other materials relating to the United States Semiquincentennial; (B) copies or representations of important legislative and institutional milestones of Congress during the time before the Time Capsule is buried; (C) a message from Congress to the future Congress when the Time Capsule will be opened; and (D) such other content as the offices described in paragraph (1) consider appropriate. (3) 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) Duties of Architect The Architect of the Capitol shall— (1) prepare the Time Capsule to be sealed and buried on the West Lawn of the Capitol, at a location specified by the Architect, 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 considers appropriate. (d) Unsealing The Time Capsule shall be sealed until July 4th, 2276, on which date the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall present the Time Capsule to the 244th Congress, and such Congress shall determine how the contents within should be preserved or used. (e) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act, and any amounts so appropriated shall remain available until expended.