A Republican congressman has introduced legislation that would block the District of Columbia government from spending its local tax dollars without approval by Congress.
Rep. Mark Meadows, a North Carolina Republican who is chairman of the subcommittee on government operations, introduced the bill Thursday, according to a copy of the legislation. It seeks to clarify the requirement that the District submit its local budget to Congress, as it has during more than 40 years of self-rule.
City leaders planned to spend local tax revenue this year without taking that step. Meadows warned at a hearing Thursday that if they went through with that plan, city officials could be subject to civil penalties and even criminal prosecution under a federal law that prevents agencies from spending money they don't have.
