U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) believes that Congress has the ultimate authority to regulate taxing and spending in the country’s capital city.

The D.C. Taxing Authority Review Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), passed out of the House Oversight Committee with a 23-to-18 vote on Wednesday. The legislation effectively changes the current Home Rule process by requiring an affirmative vote of Congress before tax increases or other changes to the Washington D.C.’s tax code could become law.

“Article One, Section Eight, Clause 17 gives Congress absolute authority over the District of Columbia,” Palmer said during the Committee hearing. “It was set up that way. James Madison wrote in Federalist 43 Federal government must have absolute authority over its own seat of government to ensure its security and operational integrity. That’s the issue, the operational integrity of the District of Columbia.”

"What we're trying to do is make Washington, D.C., a successful city."

During today's @GOPoversight markup, I spoke in favor of @RepJamesComer's D.C. Taxing Authority Review Act. Watch my remarks here⬇️ pic.twitter.com/2qx26CUAdg

— Gary Palmer (@USRepGaryPalmer) July 22, 2026

Currently, changes to the tax code only need to be approved by the D.C. Council, although Congress does have the authority to block them after it takes effect.

“You do not have states’ rights. It was never intended for District of Columbia to have states’ rights,” Palmer continued. “So, in terms of Congress, Congress has absolute authority in all cases whatsoever. I would also add that the communist wing of the Democratic Party that is threatening to take over the Democratic Party wants to eliminate the Senate. They want to eliminate the presidency, and they really want to eliminate the Constitution.”

The bill now heads to the full House for a vote.

Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee