Rep.: No Taxation for D.C. Until it has Representation

Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) said that residents of Washington, D.C. should not have to pay federal income tax until they are somehow afforded a representative in Congress.

Arguing that the saying “no taxation without representation” had had an effect on him, Gohmert said he will introduce legislation exempting D.C. residents from the federal income tax, much like residents of Guam, Puerto Rico, and other U.S. territories.

“Until DC residents have representation with full voting rights, there remains the issue of taxation, which I address through an additional bill that exempts them from paying federal income tax,” Gohmert said. “This keeps with the early history and democratic traditions of United States, as well as the principles established in the Constitution, and is in conformance with the other territories of the United States.”

The bill could hit a snag without the support of D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D), who Gohmert said did not support his proposal.

“I have spoken to Del. Norton and she simply wants to be a representative and is not interested in signing on to my bill to eliminate DC taxation until it has representation,” Gohmert said.

The Texas Republican favors and will introduce legislation to retrocede D.C. all but a smaller federal property into the state of Maryland, because he believes a simple congressional act giving D.C. a representative would be unconstitutional.

Gohmert, who still claims Texas as his residency even while serving in Congress during the week, did say he would support a constitutional amendment giving D.C. a representative in Congress if it were properly drafted.