WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.J.Res. 142 · 119th Congress · Public Law 119-78

Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the D.C. Income and Franchise Tax Conformity and Revision Temporary Amendment Act of 2025.

Became lawGovernment Operations and Politics
IntroducedJan 22, 2026
Passed HouseFeb 4, 2026
Passed SenateFeb 12, 2026
To PresidentFeb 12, 2026
Became lawFeb 18, 2026

What it does

Sourced

This joint resolution reinstates provisions of District of Columbia (DC) tax law to conform with federal tax law.

As background, DC generally automatically adopts changes to federal tax law (known as rolling conformity). Therefore, upon enactment of the 2025 reconciliation act (commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act), many of its tax provisions became DC law. DC subsequently enacted its own legislation (the DC Income and Franchise Tax Conformity and Revision Temporary Amendment Act of 2025) that decoupled DC tax law from these federal provisions.

This joint resolution nullifies the DC legislation, thereby generally realigning DC tax law with the tax provisions of the 2025 reconciliation act.

Specifically, the joint resolution reinstates for DC provisions that

• increase the higher basic standard deduction;

• increase deductible charitable cash contributions (for taxpayers who take the standard deduction);

• establish a $6,000 tax deduction for taxpayers 65 years and older;

• allow a tax deduction of qualified tips, qualified overtime pay, and qualified car loan interest;

• authorize an elective 100% depreciation allowance for nonresidential real property; and

• authorize businesses to deduct 100% of research and experimental costs retroactive to tax year 2022.

The DC legislation also amended several other provisions of DC tax law, including restoring the DC child tax credit. The joint resolution negates these changes.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Public Law, Feb 18, 2026).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. 2026-02-18Became Public Law No: 119-78.Library of Congress
  2. 2026-02-18Signed by President.Library of Congress
  3. 2026-02-12Presented to President.Library of Congress
  4. 2026-02-12Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 49 - 47. Record Vote Number: 37. Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  5. 2026-02-04Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 215 - 210 (Roll no. 56). (text: CR H2002) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  6. 2026-01-22Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show all 25 recorded actions

After it became law

Sourced

Nothing in the Federal Register names Public Law 119-78 yet (checked Oct 27, 2026). Many laws need no new rules: they set penalties, name a building, or fund something directly.

Recorded votes

Sourced

Feb 4, 2026 · House roll call 56 · needed 1/2

On Passage: Passed 215–210

R 215 yes, 0 no, 3 present or not votingD 0 yes, 210 no, 4 present or not voting

How each member voted · Official record

Feb 11, 2026 · Senate roll call 36 · needed 1/2

On the Motion to Proceed: Motion to Proceed Agreed to 51–46

R 51 yes, 0 no, 2 present or not votingI 0 yes, 2 noD 0 yes, 44 no, 1 present or not voting

How each member voted · Official record

Feb 12, 2026 · Senate roll call 37 · needed 1/2

On the Joint Resolution: Joint Resolution Passed 49–47

R 49 yes, 0 no, 4 present or not votingI 0 yes, 2 noD 0 yes, 45 no

How each member voted · Official record

Cosponsors

  • W. Gregory Steube R-FL-17