Federal COVID-19 Funding Takes Taxation Without Representation to New Level

April 24, 2020

By FOCUS staff

In the midst of uncertainty, Washingtonians need to be able to rely on the federal government to help forge a path to stability. Classifying DC as a territory in the stimulus bills is an alarming departure from the long-standing relationship between the District and Congress that jeopardizes our city’s response to the pandemic.

The federal coronavirus relief packages are meant to aid individuals, small businesses, and communities in this time of uncertainty. Right now, federal legislators are underfunding the district by $725 million. According to the Government of the District of Columbia, “DC residents pay more in total federal income tax than residents of 22 other states, but have no say over how those tax dollars are spent.” We join Mayor Bowser, Congresswoman Norton, and others in calling on Congressional leadership to correct this outrageous mis-identification so that DC families and business owners receive the aid they need.

The District has 2,927 cases and 105 deaths related to COVID-19, and the number is increasing; in the next round of funding, we must be granted classification as a state to ensure we are supported during this global pandemic. In the past, the District has been classified as a state for such funding as education, food assistance, highway funding, and grants. Now should not be any different.