DoorDash withdrew its backing of a congressional bill that would have given Congress veto power over D.C. tax decisions, after months of local boycott pressure.

The delivery giant announced Thursday, Oct. 1, that it pulled its letter of support for H.R. 9720, the D.C. Taxing Authority Review Act, WUSA9 reported. The company also pledged more than $1 million in D.C. restaurant investments for 2027 and offered to partner with the D.C. Council to exempt SNAP recipients from the District's new 20-cent delivery fee, which took effect the same day.

The reversal followed sustained backlash. After DoorDash sent a letter backing the bill to the House Oversight Committee on July 22, signed by John Horton, the company's head of North American policy, D.C. residents organized boycotts. The advocacy group Free DC launched a "Delete DoorDash" campaign, holding street actions near Nationals Park.

H.R. 9720, introduced by House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Kentucky) in July, would have required Congress to approve every D.C. tax change or fee within 60 days. Under current law, D.C. Council tax measures take effect automatically if Congress does not object within 30 days.

At-Large Councilmember Robert White Jr., who chairs the Committee on Housing, said he pressed DoorDash for weeks to reverse course.

"Let this be a warning to any company considering the same playbook," White said Thursday, Oct. 1. "If you disagree with D.C. policy, bring your case to residents, the Council, and the Mayor. Do not run to Congress and use our lack of democracy against us."

Max Rettig, DoorDash's head of global public policy, said in a statement that the company recognizes working directly with District leaders is the right approach and that lobbying Congress called its commitment to D.C. into question.

The 20-cent fee applies to all orders placed through third-party delivery platforms, covering restaurant meals, groceries, prescriptions and household staples. Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker noted in a July 24 newsletter that the fee funds food access programs, especially for residents east of the Anacostia River.

DoorDash outlined three community commitments for 2027, according to its press release: more than $1 million for D.C. restaurants, a 50% increase over current spending; 500,000 free meals through its Project DASH partners; and $250,000 in community grants. The company delivered more than 150,000 SNAP and EBT orders in D.C. in 2025, according to the release.

DoorDash said it plans to work with the D.C. Council to revisit the delivery fee and hold public hearings. No hearing date has been scheduled.