Congress blocks D.C. from taxing drivers—without giving D.C. a vote
H.R. 8801 — DC ROADS Act · Filed by Scott Perry (R-PA) · Introduced May 13, 2026 · Reported out
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What it does
This bill prohibits Washington, D.C.'s elected government from implementing a congestion toll—a fee charged to drivers entering or traveling through certain areas during peak hours. It strips the D.C. Council and Mayor of the power to enact or enforce such a toll by amending the Home Rule Act, which governs D.C.'s local authority.
Why we flagged it
The bill's operative mechanism is not a transportation policy—it is a restriction on D.C.'s Home Rule authority. Congress is using its power over D.C.'s charter to veto a specific local policy choice, not to set national transportation standards or address a federal interest.
What the text implies
- Sets precedent for Congress to override D.C. local policy by amending Home Rule Act on narrow, single-issue grounds, potentially opening door to future congressional micromanagement of D.C. governance.
- Removes a revenue tool D.C. might use to fund public transit, potentially forcing reliance on other taxes or federal appropriations to maintain transportation infrastructure.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
drivers avoiding tolls; commuters from Maryland and Virginia who use D.C. roads