Congress wants to grill Uber and Lyft on safety. The companies are blowing them off.
Source: Washington Post
Uber and Lyft have decided to skip a congressional hearing Wednesday aimed at examining their safety and labor practices, risking aggravating members of the committee who are threatening to press ahead regardless with new legislation. The two companies have come under increased scrutiny in recent months over their treatment of drivers and their efforts to keep passengers safe, prompting a House Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee to call a committee meeting and demand that the companies testify on the future of ride-hailing.
Both Uber and Lyft decided not to send representatives, however, according to company and Transportation Committee officials. That prompted Transportation Committee Chairman Peter A. DeFazio (D-Ore.) to say that the panel will press ahead with legislation that could encompass safety and labor for transportation network companies, or ride-hailing companies, with or without their cooperation, according to prepared remarks he planned to deliver Wednesday that were reviewed by The Washington Post ahead of the hearing.
Uber’s and Lyft’s “failure to appear at this hearing is a telling sign that they would rather suffer a public lashing than answer questions on the record about their operations,” DeFazio’s remarks say. He says they might be trying to avoid talking about safety problems or their labor records. “For their long-term survival, and for any hope of ever partnering with agencies who utilize Federal funds, they are going to have to clean up their acts,” he adds.
The refusal by Uber and Lyft to appear to testify is the latest wrinkle in a long-running, rocky relationship between Silicon Valley tech companies and lawmakers in the nation’s capital. Many in tech believe that their companies are trying to improve the world, despite problems that may surface along the way. They believe that the government should stay out of regulating what they think is important innovation.
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/10/16/congress-wants-grill-uber-lyft-safety-companies-are-blowing-them-off/
This is the latest fad promoted by the current administration - ignore Congressional requests.
And the Constitution specifically states what Congress' role includes -
/snip
Section 8.
/snip
To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes;
/snip
To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/articlei
This is not "Libertarian La La land" where no laws or regulations exist.
= new reply since forum marked as read
we had some epic BB gun fights when we were kids. Still have both eyes. 
and then come running back to the government for relief (and go to the back of the line or are told tough shit). 'nuff said? 
and they basically say FU congress, we don't need your stinking rules and laws, and then have a labor secretary that is lobbyists at heart to decimate that department...................and basically say to these two firms, have at it, you also can watch how we do it, you also can stick a finger eye of a mandated elected Representative government in the rules and laws..................... ......have at it, and laugh all the way to the bank and wall street..................
Warren is right..........................just like TR, break them up...............................
