Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act
Summary
The Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act mandates the creation of a time capsule by the Architect of the Capitol to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. The time capsule's contents will be determined jointly by the leadership of both houses of Congress. It is to be sealed and buried in the Capitol Visitor Center until July 4th, 2276.
Expected Effects
This act will result in the creation and placement of a time capsule containing items selected by congressional leaders. The capsule is intended to provide a snapshot of the United States in 2026 for future generations. The act also ensures a coordinated burial date with a similar event in Philadelphia.
Potential Benefits
- Preserves a historical record of the United States in 2026.
- Provides future generations with insights into the values and priorities of this era.
- Symbolically connects the present with the past and future.
- Encourages reflection on the nation's history and progress.
- Promotes civic engagement and awareness of the semiquincentennial.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- The selection of contents is limited to congressional leadership, potentially excluding broader perspectives.
- The long-term preservation of the selected items is subject to the effectiveness of the chosen materials and storage conditions.
- The act itself has no immediate impact on pressing issues facing the nation.
- The cost of creating and maintaining the time capsule could be viewed as a misallocation of resources by some.
- The symbolic nature of the act may not resonate with all citizens.
Constitutional Alignment
The act aligns with the Constitution's broad purpose of promoting the general welfare and securing the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, as stated in the Preamble. The legislative power to enact such a commemorative measure is vested in Congress under Article I, Section 1. The act does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional right or limitation.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).