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House Oversight and Reform Committee advances bill to bar congestion pricing in D.C. after split vote
Summary
The House Committee on Oversight and Reform reported HR 8801, the DC Roads Act, which would prohibit congestion tolls in the District of Columbia. Supporters described the measure as protecting motorists and commuters; Democrats said it improperly overrides local authority. The committee reported the bill favorably, 22-18.
The House Committee on Oversight and Reform reported HR 8801, the DC Roads Act, after a contested markup in which Republicans pushed to prohibit congestion pricing in the District of Columbia and Democrats warned the measure usurps local control.
Representative Perry, the bill uthor, described the measure as an amendment to the DC Home Rule Act that would "prohibit the DC City Council from enacting and the DC mayor from ever enforcing a future traffic congestion toll" and said the bill would protect motorists and commuters facing potentially regressive fees. "This would include any congestion toll for the entry into or passage through a future congestion tolling zone," Perry said during the markup.
Ranking Member Garcia and other Democrats strongly opposed the bill, arguing Congress should not intrude on DC ecision-making and noting there is currently no congestion pricing law pending in the District. "We should stop acting like a super city council, and we should stop considering this bill today," Garcia said, arguing congestion pricing has produced traffic and air-quality benefits in other jurisdictions.
Representative Norton called the bill "undemocratic and paternalistic," urged protection of DC's local authority and entered letters opposing the bill from DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson and multiple advocacy organizations. Norton said that barring congestion pricing is an example of Congress intervening in local affairs that should be decided by District residents.
Backers emphasized economic and practical concerns for commuters. The chair argued a 2019 DC study had discussed a potential $10 fee for entry into downtown and said critics should consider the burden such a charge could place on workers and visitors. A member from northern Virginia said he opposed a high toll for his constituents but also expressed support for DC autonomy and for alternatives such as telework and infrastructure improvements.
The committee agreed to an amendment in the nature of a substitute by voice vote. A recorded vote was subsequently requested and, after the committee reconvened, the clerk reported the final tally on reporting HR 8801 as amended: ayes 22, nays 18. The bill was ordered favorably reported to the full House.
