The Trade Feds, feeling taxed by the Republic, were trying to secretly blockade a planet halfway across the galaxy from the Republic's core?

There was a dispute about taxation involving the Trade Federation and Naboo. The Trade Federation attempt to force a settlement from Naboo through a blockade. They claim the blockade is perfectly legal under Republic law. The Jedi are sent to assess the situation.

Qui-Gon eventually returns to Coruscant, and confirms that the blockade is illegal. But the senate is bogged down in procedures, bureaucracy, and corruption. They are slow to act. All they can do is send another group to confirm the confirmation. Queen Amidala is fed up with the ineffective bureaucracy, and attempts to liberate Naboo without help from the Republic.