Could a space congestion charge clear up junk-ridden skies?

Make it a requirement for all satellites to include a deorbiting motor to allow them to burn up in the atmosphere when their lifespan has ended. That would increase development and launch costs a bit but would be much cheaper than cleanup.

Typical, charge money for something but do not actually do anything about it.

the amount of debris orbiting the planet is already so great that space agencies often have to alter the course of satellites to avoid collisions

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A levy could be seen as a restriction on the freedom of usage

Right, because those are clearly the biggest concerns here

Looks like an opportunity for a space cleaning business!

And charge those who intentionally blow up satellites into millions of pieces