Fox News - Rep. Issa Asks Why Government Isn't Embracing Uber and Lyft As A Way To Save Taxpayer Money

Interview

Can federal workers use Uber and Lyft on official travel to save taxpayer dollars? That was the question Congressman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) raised today on Mornings with Maria.

The Congressman joined the program to discuss a letter he sent to the General Services Administration (and the response he received) inquiring as to whether federal employees were authorized to use Sharing Economy services to save taxpayer money on government travel.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Reporter: They sent a letter to the GSA earlier this year asking whether these ride-sharing programs like Uber and Lyft are indeed expensable.

Both Issa and Uber think there's still some ambiguity there. That there's a gray area. And that there should be some further clarity. Issa thinks that this could potentially save taxpayers big bucks.

Issa: [The GSAs] answer basically makes us believe that they're not doing anything.

BACKGROUND:

Congressman Issa (R-Calif.) and Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) sent this letter to the General Services Administration asking whether Uber and related sharing economy services are expensable on government travel on February 10, 2016.

The General Services Administration responded on March 14, 2016 in this letter, delivering essentially a non-answer saying that "each agency determines and manages final authorization and approval of travel expenses based on its mission and internal policies and controls."

On May 12, 2015, Congressman Issa (R-Calif.) and Congressman Swalwell (D-Calif.) co-founded the Sharing Economy Caucus to bring attention to this booming sector of the economy, its impact on our society, and to help educate lawmakers on the the issues affecting this growing area of innovation.

Source