H.R. 6243 — Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act

This section directs the Architect of the Capitol to create the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule (not exceeding 50 inches wide, 32 inches deep, and 48 inches high), with contents jointly determined by the offices of the Speaker and Minority Leader of the House and the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate—including a joint letter from those offices, coins minted by the Treasury for the U.S. semiquincentennial, and other appropriate items made of low-degradation materials such as metal or archival paper. The Architect must seal and bury the capsule in the Capitol Visitor Center by July 4, 2026—at a time allowing coordination with a time capsule burial in Philadelphia under the United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016—and install an informational plaque, subject to approval by the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and the House Committee on House Administration. The capsule remains sealed until July 4, 2276, when the Speaker of the House presents it to the 244th Congress, which will determine preservation or use of the contents.