The League opposed H.R. 9720, the DC Taxing Authority Review Act, which would severely interfere with the ability of the District of Columbia (DC) to manage its finances.
July 22, 2026
Re: Reject HR9720 the DC Taxing Authority Review Act
Dear Members of the House Oversight Committee:
On behalf of the League of Women Voters of the United States (the League), we write to express our strong opposition to H.R. 9720, the DC Taxing Authority Review Act which would severely interfere with the ability of the District of Columbia (DC) to manage its finances. This bill is yet another attempt to interfere in the business of DC and undermine its ability to self-govern.
Passage of this legislation would require Congress to approve any legislation passed by the DC Council that imposes or increases a tax or fee. This legislation is the latest in a long line of attacks on DC's democracy and the stability of its finances. DC residents pay federal taxes and comply with all the other duties of citizenship, yet Congress continues to insert itself in its daily business while giving DC’s residents limited control over their own local governance.
While we recognize that Congress has the authority to reject or amend laws enacted by DC through the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, passing this bill would micromanage the affairs of the DC, highlighting the relegation of its more than 700,000 residents to second-class citizenship without the same voting rights enjoyed by citizens of states. We exhort you to uphold democracy and grant District residents the autonomy to manage their own affairs, free from external interference or meddling.
We urge the Committee to reject HR9720, which would be an undemocratic overreach that would destabilize DC’s finances. District residents need the autonomy to manage their own affairs, free from external interference or meddling. It remains painfully clear that the right to vote is meaningless if the will of DC residents can be subverted and micromanaged by a Congress that gives them no say in the matter.
For questions, please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] or Kristen Kern, our Federal Policy and Advocacy Manager, at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Jessica Jones Capparell
Director, Government Affairs