Democratic Pennsylvania Congressman Brendan Boyle recently introduced new legislation calling for a commemorative joint session of Congress at Independence Hall on July 2, 2026, writes Tom MacDonald for WHYY.

His vision is for the session to mark and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Boyle has some backing for his proposal.

Among them is Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon.

“We would [be] so delighted to have our colleagues return here to steep themselves in our history and the values, and the sheer magnificence of the founding values of our country,” Scanlon said.

Sessions outside of Washington D.C., however, are quite rare, as there has only been instances since the Capitol moved there from Philly in 1800. The first was in 1987 at Independence Hall as part of the bicentennial celebration, and the other was on Sept. 11, 2002, when lawmakers gathered at Federal Hall in New York City to honor victims of the terror attack the previous year.

Boyle hopes 2026 will be a third time.

“Through this special meeting of Congress, we will ensure that the eyes of the nation — indeed, the eyes of the world — will be on Philadelphia as we celebrate America’s 250th birthday,” he said.

Read more about the newest proposal as part of Philly’s 2026 celebration in WHYY.

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