To: Members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
From: National Taxpayers Union
Date: July 21, 2026
Subject: NTU’s Views on July 22 Committee Markup
I. Introduction and Key Taxpayer Considerations
On behalf of National Taxpayers Union (NTU), the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, we write to express our views on several measures slated for consideration before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on July 22, 2026. NTU applauds the Committee for its continued efforts to advance legislation that improves government efficiency, enhances transparency, and protects taxpayers from government overreach. As such, NTU strongly urges Committee members to support H.R. 9720 and H.R. 6610.
II. Legislation NTU Supports at July 22 Markup
H.R. 9720, D.C. Taxing Authority Act – Support. This legislation, introduced by Chairman Comer (R-KY) and many others on the Committee, would require congressional approval of any act passed by the District of Columbia that imposes or increases a tax or fee. While NTU generally believes state and local governments should have broad authority to make decisions for their own communities, the Constitution grants Congress unique oversight authority over laws enacted by the District of Columbia. Under current law, DC legislation generally takes effect unless Congress affirmatively disapproves it within a specified review period. This legislation would make a modest but significant change by requiring congressional approval of tax changes within 60 days before certain District laws can take effect.
This adjustment is important because DC’s fiscal crisis continues to grow with no signs of slowing, and many politicians are looking to balance the books on the backs of taxpayers. In recent years, the DC Council has proposed or passed taxes on ridesharing services, sweetened beverages, income and investment taxes, and more, as well as an Activity Tax on businesses with a substantial nexus in the District. Higher taxes may provide a short-term budgetary fix, but they are no substitute for addressing the runaway spending that has driven much of the District’s fiscal deterioration.
This legislation would provide an important safeguard against policies that could further burden taxpayers who live, work, or visit in the District. Congress should exercise its constitutional oversight authority to ensure that DC’s fiscal challenges are not addressed by continually raising taxes on residents, businesses, and visitors. NTU supports H.R. 9720.
H.R. 6610, the Pharmacists Fight Back in Federal Employee Health Benefit Plans Act - Support
Authored by Rep. Auchincloss (D-MA), this bipartisan legislation creates new requirements for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) participating in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. This bill mandates participating PBMs to provide reimbursements to pharmacies according to specified standards, and use manufacturer rebates to lower drug costs for beneficiaries. Additionally, it limits PBMs from directing patients to affiliated pharmacies and imposes penalties for violations.
Studies show that intermediaries in the pharmaceutical supply chain capture about one-third of total drug expenditures. Any serious effort to control spending on drugs therefore needs to address the incentives and distortions across the prescription drug supply chain, including practices by PBMs.
By aggregating purchasing power and negotiating rebates, PBMs can play an important role in helping control drug spending for employers and government programs. However, growing consolidation in recent years, along with opaque pricing practices, raise legitimate concerns that savings are not always passed down to patients and taxpayers. Provisions in H.R. 6610 that crack down on PBM practices that inflate drug spending, such as spread pricing, could be of great benefit to taxpayers. NTU supports H.R. 6610.
III. Contact Information
Should you have any questions about the recommendations in this memo, please do not hesitate to reach out to Thomas Aiello at taiello@ntu.org or Alex Ciccone at aciccone@ntu.org.