On Wednesday, President Trump signed two bills into law: one that blocks a tax measure in D.C. and another that establishes a congressional time capsule for America’s 250th birthday.
H.J.Res. 142 nullifies the “D.C. Income and Franchise Tax Conformity Revision Temporary Amendment Act of 2025,” which the D.C. Council passed on December 20. Congress maintains constitutional authority to review and overturn District laws within a set review period.
“The nullification reinstates certain DC tax code provisions that were in place before the enactment of the DC legislation and that address, among other things, the standard tax deduction, taxation of tipped wages, and depreciation of qualified property,” the bill’s summary states.
S. 3705, the “Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act,” directs the Architect of the Capitol to create a time capsule commemorating 250 years of American independence.
“This bill requires the Architect of the Capitol to create a congressional time capsule in honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence to be buried in the Capitol Visitor Center on or before July 4, 2026. The time capsule shall contain a joint letter from congressional leadership and such other contents as they shall determine. The time capsule shall be sealed until July 4, 2276,” according to a summary of the legislation by the Congressional Research Service.
The White House announced both signings in a brief statement on February 18.
