Boyle, America250 Caucus Co-Chairs Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Celebrate America’s 250th with Joint Session of Congress at Independence Hall

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02) introduced bipartisan legislation to hold a commemorative joint session of Congress at Philadelphia’s Independence Hall in honor of the semiquincentennial – or 250th anniversary – of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Boyle’s legislation is co-led by the four House Co-Chairs of the America250 Congressional Caucus, Representatives Robert Aderholt (AL-04), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12). The legislation is also co-led by Pennsylvania Representatives Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) and Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15).

“In 1776, Philadelphia was the birthplace of American democracy,” said Representative Boyle (PA-02). “It is only right that we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary in the very building where the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence. Our bill will bring Congress together in Philadelphia once again for a historic special session to honor 250 years of freedom and democracy.”

“As we approach America’s 250th birthday in 2026, it is only fitting that Congress convene in Philadelphia, the birthplace of our great nation,” said Representative Aderholt (AL-04). “Holding a session in Independence Hall, where our Founding Fathers debated and signed the Declaration of Independence, would be a powerful tribute to the principles of freedom, democracy, and unity that define us as Americans. I fully support this historic commemoration as a way to honor our past, celebrate our present, and inspire future generations to uphold the values that make our country exceptional.”

“As a lifelong Philadelphian, I’m very proud to join with Congressman Boyle in this effort to bring Congress back to the birthplace of America for next year’s historic 250th anniversary,” said Representative Evans (PA-03).

“Since 1776, our experiment with democracy has created a bastion of freedom and the world looks at America as the ‘shining city upon a hill,’” said Representative Salazar (FL-27). “I am proud to co-lead this legislation, which recognizes the groundbreaking efforts of our Founding Fathers by convening a joint session of Congress in the birthplace of American democracy during the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding.”

“I’m thrilled to join Rep. Brendan Boyle on this bipartisan legislation to celebrate the founding of our nation,” said Representative Scanlon (PA-05). “We would be so delighted to host our colleagues here in our nation’s birthplace, so that they can steep themselves in our history and the values and sheer genius of the vision of our country’s founders.”

“The origins of our democracy trace back to Pennsylvania; it is only fitting to celebrate our 250th anniversary where it all began,” said Representative Thompson (PA-15). “I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation and look forward to honoring this momentous occasion in 2026.”

“As a commissioner for our nation’s 250th birthday celebrations, I’m glad to support this resolution to hold a joint session of Congress in our nation's birthplace,” said Representative Watson Coleman (NJ-12). “New Jersey and Pennsylvania hold a special place in the history of our nation. As we close out the first quarter-millennium of American democracy, it’s fitting to revisit the city where it all started. I look forward to this joint session, and the other semiquincentennial festivities planned.”

They were joined by Pennsylvania Representatives Madeline Dean (PA-04), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Summer Lee (PA-12), Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07), and Lloyd Smucker (PA-11) as original cosponsors.

Once agreed to by both the House and the Senate, this legislation would authorize a joint commemorative session of Congress to be held at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to commemorate the 250th anniversary (semiquincentennial) of the Declaration of Independence on Thursday, July 2, 2026. This special session would be only the third time that a joint commemorative meeting of Congress has been held outside the District of Columbia.

The text of the legislation is available here.

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