President Donald Trump recently signed the Modernizing Government Travel Act, which allows federal employees to use ridesharing services such as Lyft and Uber for reimbursable work-related travel.
The bipartisan bill was introduced by Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) and had 10 cosponsors from seven states.
“This bill will help our government keep pace with the private sector and save taxpayer dollars,” Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX), one of the bill’s sponsors, said. “Modernizing government into the 21st Century is something that we all can agree on and I am grateful that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and the White House for lending their support.”
Under the bill, the General Services Administration will need to write regulations for reimbursement within 90 days of the bill’s passage.
Reimbursement applies to innovative mobility-technology companies and transportation-network companies.
An innovative mobility-technology company is defined in the bill as a company or organization that uses technology to expand and enhance available transportation choices.
A transportation-network company is defined as one that uses a digital network to connect riders to drivers.
Both Uber and Lyft praised the signing of the bill.
“We appreciate all of the hard work the sponsors have done to pass the Modernizing Government Travel Act and make it easier for federal employees to get from point A to point B in an efficient and cost-effective way,” Niki Christoff, head of federal affairs for Uber, said. “Uber looks forward to providing the same reliable and convenient transportation solutions to federal employees while they’re working as we do for people around the world.”
A related Senate bill was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs in January.
The House bill was reviewed by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.