House Committee Passes Bill Restricting D.C.’s Power to Raise Taxes
The measure would require Congress to approve D.C. tax changes within 60 days, and city leaders say it would weaken local budget control.
- On Wednesday, the House Oversight Committee approved the "D.C. Taxing Authority Review Act," introduced by Kentucky Congressman James Comer, which requires Congressional approval for all local tax changes.
- Current Home Rule allows the District to set taxes subject to a 30-day Congressional review; Republicans argue the legislation is necessary to curb local spending, calling the current system a path to "socialism."
- Council Chairman Phil Mendelson warned the bill would "straitjacket" the District's tax code, while Council member Robert White called it "a veto over our own city."
- Mayor Muriel Bowser cautioned the bill would prevent the District from recovering from economic challenges, while critics argue it effectively turns Congress into a "super-sized D.C. Council" undermining local governance.
- Marking the 20th bill this session aimed at altering District laws, the legislation faces an uncertain future in the Senate, as local officials warn it poses the biggest threat to autonomy since 1973.
15 Articles
15 Articles
D.C. Home Rule Faces New Test as House Committee Advances Tax Authority Bill
A Republican-controlled House committee voted Wednesday to advance legislation that would dramatically expand Congress’ control over the District’s tax laws, prompting Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) to call the measure “the most consequential rollback of D.C.’s home rule authority in modern history.” The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform approved the D.C. Taxing Authority […] The post D.C. Home Rule Faces New Test as House …
Congressional Republicans Say D.C. Shouldn’t Be Allowed to Run Its Own Tax System
This week a U.S. House of Representatives committee approved a bill that would effectively take away Washington, D.C.’s fiscal autonomy, requiring Congressional approval of any new D.C. laws that increase taxes or fees. This unprecedented and undemocratic power grab would fly in the face of 250 years of an important American tradition: delegating political and economic power from the federal government to the American people. The bill approved b…
A House committee passed a law that would force the DC Council to obtain express Congressional approval before raising or lowering local taxes.
House Republicans push bill to limit DC tax hikes by Janeese Lewis George
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform advanced legislation Wednesday that would require Washington, D.C., to obtain congressional approval before changing its tax code, a move Republicans say is aimed at preventing the district from raising taxes under Democratic mayoral nominee Janeese Lewis George. Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-KY), who introduced the bill,...
House Oversight moves bill to veto D.C. tax raises in response to prospective socialist mayor
The Republican-controlled House Oversight Committee advanced a bill Wednesday that would give Congress veto power over the District's attempts to raise taxes and fees, in what the bill's top sponsor framed as a bulwark against a likely socialist mayor.
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