House Committee Advances Bill to Limit D.C. Taxing Authority

The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform advanced the D.C. Taxing Authority Review Act on Wednesday in a 23-to-18 vote. Sponsored by James Comer, the legislation would require affirmative approval from both the House and the Senate within 60 days for any local tax or fee increase to take effect. This marks a reversal of the current system, where local tax changes proceed unless Congress intervenes.

Representative Comer and House Speaker Mike Johnson framed the bill as a necessary measure to prevent "radical D.C. Democrats" from implementing socialist policies and harming taxpayers. Comer asserted that the measure is intended to restrain "irresponsible policies pursued by future socialist and ultra-progressive D.C. Democrats."

District leaders and Democratic lawmakers condemned the bill as a paternalistic attack on home rule. Mayor Muriel Bowser warned that the legislation would leave the District incapable of recovering from the economic impacts of COVID-19, federal remote work, and DOGE. D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton described the move as the most consequential reduction in the city's authority to govern itself since the 1973 Home Rule Act.

The bill now moves to the House floor for a full vote. If passed, it must clear the Senate, where it faces a likely filibuster, before being signed into law by President Donald Trump.