Congress Plans Time Capsule for America's 250th Anniversary

Lawmakers debate what to include, from rock albums to political rivals

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Members of Congress are planning to bury a time capsule beneath the U.S. Capitol in honor of the nation's 250th anniversary. The capsule must be made of durable materials and cannot exceed certain size limits, but lawmakers have suggested a range of items to include, from Meat Loaf albums to the personal bouncy ball of one senator.

Why it matters

The time capsule is meant to serve as a reminder of American endurance and democracy, with the contents reflecting the history and culture of the present day for future generations to discover. The bipartisan effort to create the capsule is also seen as a way to unite Americans over their shared history.

The details

The Senate passed a bill on January 27 to create the commemorative time capsule, and the House of Representatives passed it on February 9, sending it to the president's desk. The capsule must be no larger than 50 inches wide, 32 inches deep, and 48 inches high, and the contents must be made of materials that can be preserved until the capsule is opened in 2276, on the 500th anniversary of America's founding. Lawmakers have suggested including items like Meat Loaf's greatest hits album and a senator's personal bouncy ball, though the final contents will be determined by congressional leadership.

  • The Senate passed the bill to create the time capsule on January 27, 2026.
  • The House of Representatives passed the bill on February 9, 2026, sending it to the president's desk.
  • The time capsule is planned to be buried in the Capitol Visitor Center on July 4, 2026.

The players

John Kennedy

A Republican senator from Louisiana who joked about wanting to put his political rivals in the time capsule.

Markwayne Mullin

An Oklahoma Republican senator who suggested burying his signature, fist-sized bouncy ball that he carries around the Capitol.

Bonnie Watson Coleman

A Democratic representative from New Jersey who introduced the bipartisan Semiquincentennial Time Capsule Act, saying the effort would serve as a reminder of American endurance and democracy.

Robert Aderholt

A Republican representative from Alabama who said the time capsule idea was a way of uniting Americans over shared history.

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What they’re saying

“I know a couple of guys that I'd like to put in it.”

— John Kennedy, Senator (USA TODAY)

“I think I'd put in Meat Loaf's greatest hits.”

— John Kennedy, Senator (USA TODAY)

“None of us will be here when this capsule is opened. That is the point. Our responsibility is to the generations who will inherit the consequences of our choices. What we do in this chamber every day is history.”

— Bonnie Watson Coleman, Representative (USA TODAY)

“America's 250th birthday is a rare moment for reflection and celebration, and Congress has a responsibility to help mark it in a way that brings people together.”

— Robert Aderholt, Representative (USA TODAY)

What’s next

The offices of congressional leadership will ultimately jointly determine the final contents of the time capsule.

The takeaway

The bipartisan effort to create a time capsule for America's 250th anniversary reflects a desire to preserve a sense of shared history and national identity, even as the country faces deep political divisions. The capsule's contents will serve as a time capsule for future generations to discover, offering a glimpse into the culture and concerns of the present day.