The House on Monday passed a pair of bills in honor of America’s 250th anniversary that would create a commemorative coin and a congressional time capsule.
Both measures passed by voice vote, indicating no opposition. They are products of the Congressional America250 Caucus.
Rep. Robert B. Aderholdt, Alabama Republican, led the bill to require the Treasury to mint a $2.50 coin by July 4 to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The bill authorizes the Treasury secretary to issue a collectible anniversary coin and to conduct a viability study for whether it is economically feasible to issue a version of the $2.50 coin that can be circulated for everyday use.
The measure is modeled after legislation that the 68th Congress passed to authorize a half-dollar coin and a $2.50 gold piece to commemorate the 150th anniversary of American independence.
The historical design of that gold piece will be featured on the new $2.50 coin with minimal updates to note that another century has passed, Mr. Aderholdt said.
“Every citizen deserves the opportunity to acquire such a coin as a means to connect the founding principles to liberty, democracy and self governance,” he said, adding that the coin will serve as a living reminder that “there will always be more that unites us than divides us.”
The $2.50 coin bill now heads to the Senate.
The bill to create a congressional time capsule passed the Senate in late January by unanimous consent, so the House action on Monday sends it to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law.
The measure calls for the creation of a “Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule” up to “50 inches wide, 32 inches deep and 48 inches high” that will be sealed and buried in the Capitol Visitor Center for another 250 years.
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, New Jersey Democrat who led the House companion version of the legislation, said the items collected for the time capsule should “capture the institutional history of Congress, significant legislative milestones and a message from the 119th Congress.”
Congressional leaders in both parties will work with the Architect of the Capitol to compile the contents.
“This will include a letter from congressional leadership, books, manuscripts, relics, memorabilia and more,” said Rep. Stephanie Bice, Oklahoma Republican, who predicted the contents “will reflect what makes this country great, as well as the challenges we faced during this time.”
The time capsule will be installed with a plaque that informs future congressional leaders they should open it on America’s 500th anniversary — July 4th, 2276.
”During this time of deep division and heightened partisanship, this anniversary reminds us of our shared responsibility to uphold the values of liberty and equality that have defined this nation for two-and-a-half centuries,” said Rep. Joseph Morelle, New York Democrat.
• Lindsey McPherson can be reached at lmcpherson@washingtontimes.com.
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