Which act created the United States Semiquincentennial Commission for America250?

The United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016 created the federal commission responsible for coordinating America250 planning.

Congress established the commission to promote and coordinate observances of the 250th anniversary of American independence. The act created a body involving members of Congress, federal officials, and private citizens, reflecting the national scope of the commemoration.

The commission was later organized as a bipartisan and nonpartisan planning institution. In 2018, its members were sworn in at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, a location chosen for its connection to both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The commission works under the America250 name with a nonprofit foundation and administrative partners.

The act is different from the later events and organizations that support the anniversary. America250 is a public-facing identity, while the commission is the congressional body established by federal law. Its statutory work is scheduled to end on December 31, 2027.