In Summary:
Rep. Anna V. Eskamani, D-Orlando, joined 285 women serving in state government in urging Congress to remove the Fong Amendment from the Build America 250 Act. The proposal would make it more difficult for sexual assault survivors to pursue legal claims against rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft. Supporters say the measure would reduce insurance costs and frivolous lawsuits, while opponents argue it would deny victims access to justice.
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Rep. Anna V. Eskamani, D-Orlando, is among a group of 285 women in state government calling on Congress to remove a provision from the Build America 250 Act, which would shield rideshare companies from liability for sexual assault.
Eskamani said the amendment would make it nearly impossible for survivors to hold corporations accountable.
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“If this liability shield becomes law, Congress is telling the women and girls of America that they don't care about your safety, and they're choosing corporate greed over the health and well-being of women across the nation,” Eskamani asserted.
The Fong Amendment would extend a federal liability shield to rideshare companies, making it harder for survivors of sexual assault to sue Uber or Lyft. A New York Times investigation found that from 2017 through 2022, roughly one report of sexual assault was generated every eight minutes on Uber trips. Uber and Lyft have spent more than $1 million lobbying Congress on the legislation.
Eskamani argued Florida’s tourism industry and limited public transit make state authority over rideshare safety especially important.
“All it takes is multiple stories to be shared of people having bad experiences for that harm to be caused for all of our tourism destinations and our notoriety as a family-friendly and safe place to be,” Eskamani pointed out.
The amendment passed a House committee last month and awaits a vote by the full House. It would override state laws like those recently passed in Virginia and Colorado.
More than 3,000 passengers have brought sexual assault claims against Uber. Supporters, including the amendment’s sponsor, said it would reduce insurance costs and curb frivolous lawsuits. Opponents countered it strips survivors of their day in court.
